[The risk of infections in internationally adopted children is real]

Ugeskr Laeger. 2013 Jun 17;175(25):1789-93.
[Article in Danish]

Abstract

Each year approximately 400 internationally adopted children (IAC) come to Denmark from countries with high prevalences of infectious diseases. Former studies of IAC have shown that approximately 1% of the IAC are infected with Hepatitis A, 3-6% with Hepatitis B, mostly asymptomatic infections. 8-27% have gastrointestinal parasites and 1-7% have tuberculosis, but 3-21% have a positive Mantoux test. The studies found none with HIV or HCV and only a few with syphilis. The vaccination status was often deficient and the serology results did not match the vaccination records. All studies conclude that screening of IAC is recommended.

Publication types

  • English Abstract
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adoption*
  • Child
  • HIV Infections / epidemiology
  • Hepatitis, Viral, Human / epidemiology
  • Humans
  • Internationality*
  • Parasitic Diseases / epidemiology
  • Risk Factors
  • Syphilis / epidemiology
  • Tuberculosis / epidemiology
  • Vaccination / standards