Health & Medical Information

Last Revised: 3/9/08

• Growth Charts for Chinese Girls and Boys Charts and tables showing height/length, weight for Chinese girls and boys along with head circumference for Chinese girls only.

• A list of MDs who have special experience in dealing with adopted children. A big thanks to Deborah A. Borchers, M.D., F.A.A.P. for sending this along.

• Genetic Test Recommended for Patients with Asian Ancestry Taking Carbamazepine Manufacturers of drugs containing the active ingredient carbamazepine have agreed to add to labeling a recommendation that patients with Asian ancestry, before starting therapy with the drugs, get a genetic blood test that can identify a significantly increased risk of developing a rare, but serious, skin reaction. Carbamazepine is used to treat epilepsy, bipolar disorder, and neuropathic pain. It is sold under the brand names Carbatrol, Equetro and Tegretol. http://www.fda.gov/cder/drug/InfoSheets/HCP/carbamazepineHCP.htm

• BMT Basics website gathers information and resources for families with children up to age 21 who need to undergo a blood or marrow transplant (BMT) to treat life-threatening illnesses. The website reflects the MAVIN Foundation's ongoing commitment to help end health inequalities related to the present lack of sufficient genetic diversity in the unrelated BMT donor pool. The site contains a wealth of information that will be helpful to patient families , healthcare professionals, and health policy makers nationwide. Subjects covered include what BMT and donor-patient matching are all about, insurance and financial concerns of families, and tips for navigating the healthcare system, and much more.

• Families and Adoption: The Pediatrician's Role in Supporting Communication is a recent article in the medical journal Pediatrics, volume 112, pages 1437 - 1441 (2003). This article reviews medical and communications issues related to adoption. The article was written by the American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Early Childhood, Adoption, and Dependent Care, the lead author was China adoptive parent Deborah A. Borchers, M.D., F.A.A.P. Print this out and bring it on your next visit to your pediatrician.

• Center For Family Development is run by an adoptive parent of a child from China (8.5 yrs ago) who is also a professional who treats adopted and foster children. The website has lots of information on my website about attachment issues, sensory-integration, and related topics. Website: http://www.Center4FamilyDevelop.com

• Adoption Medicine is an emerging area of expertise. Here is an article on the NY Times website that explains the subject and how some parents are working with the MDs specializing in this area.

• Here are some useful articles from the Center for Adoption Medicine at the University of Washington. Titles of interest include: Growth Charts, Travel and Transition Issues, Coughs, Congestion, and Colds, and Constipation. Many other interesting articles as well, good site to poke around.

• Infection with HIV is a growing problem in China. Here is an article on HIV Testing in International Adoptees by Todd J. Ochs, M.D., and Deborah Borchers, M.D. This article discusses the latest reccomendations on this important issue for parents adopting a child from China.

• The issue of the correct age for children from China can be difficult. Here is an article from Dr. Jane about this somewhat complex issue.

• Talking with Toddlers is an online resource and forum for parents of children with expressive language delay.

• Resources for Children with Disabilities. This is a state-by-state listing of resources and assistance available for any child with disabilities.

• Email Listserve for parents of children from China with true medical special needs. To join, go to http://yahoogroups.com and register as a user. After you receive your confirmation message, send a subscribe email message to: snadoptchina@yahoogroups.com . If you have trouble subscribing or have questions, contact Marla Garr at mailto:mgarr@northcascades.netor Peg Helminski at mailto: PegHelminski@aol.com for help.

• Psychological Adjustment of transracial adoptees is the subject or a recent study. The author reports that the degree of identification with birth culture did not appear to play a significant role in the overall psychological health of the adoptees. A summary of the study is on the American Psychological Association website at: http://www.apa.org/releases/transracialadopt.html.

• Reactive Attachment Disorder, and why children adopted from China are at risk for it. There is currently a myth that children adopted from China do not have RAD, and it is important for prospective families to know the reality. This website to save other families the heartache and stress my daughter and I suffered while we searched for someone to help us with her sleep problems, which were only the most obvious symptom of RAD. The web site contains information on symptoms to look for in both infants and older children, as well as an explanation of RAD, and treatment. Another website is at http://RadKid.org.

• Health of Children Adopted From China by Laurie C. Miller, MD* and Nancy W. Hendrie, MD From the * International Adoption Clinic, Floating Hospital for Children, New England Medical Center; and Emerson Hospital, Concord, Massachusetts. Published in: PEDIATRICS Vol. 105 No. 6 June 2000, p. e76. This is a full scale scientific article about the authors data on 452 children adopted from China between 1991 and 1998. This can be heavy reading for those without a scientific background but is the most comprehensive study of China adoptees to date. The data largely agrees with the earlier study from the University of Minnesota described in the next item.

• Health Status of Adopted Chinese Orphans on Arrival in the US From the International Adoption Clinics at the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN and Tufts New England Medical Center, Boston, MA and the office of Dr. Michael Traister, New York, NY. Here are the results of a formal scientific study of the health of 154 children adopted from China in 1994-1996.

• TB Testing and the BCG Vaccine, by Deborah A. Borchers, M.D., F.A.A.P. This article gives basic information on tuberculosis, how it is tested for, and how the BCG vaccine used in other countries can affect the testing results.

• Mongolian Spots, by Deborah A. Borchers, M.D., F.A.A.P. This item describes the medically harmless spots that have the potential to cause legal troubles. Check it out here.

• Helpful Medical Items to take to China for Your Child, by Deborah A. Borchers, M.D., F.A.A.P. Here is another list of medical items that you may wish to take on your trip to China to adopt your child.

• Oral Rehydration Mix is useful for emergency treatment of a child with severe diarrhea. Here is the recipe. The commercial version is Kaolectrolyte and can sometimes be found in drug stores or ordered online.

• Medical Testing Recommended for International Adoptees, by Deborah A. Borchers, M.D., F.A.A.P. A suggested protocol for the examination of a child on arriving in the U.S. after adoption from China.

• An Open Letter to Pediatricians on Chinese Adoption Medical Issues, from Deborah A. Borchers, M.D., F.A.A.P. about health concerns specific to children adopted from China.

• Feeding Suggestions While Abroad, from Deborah A. Borchers, M.D., F.A.A.P. about suggestions on what and how to feed your infant while in China.

• Preparing while you wait for adoption travel: Getting Yourself Immunized Now, from Deborah A. Borchers, M.D., F.A.A.P. about which vaccinations parents need to get well before traveling to China.

• There are several clinics that have a good reputation and a lot of experience in dealing with children adopted from other countries. They can help with questions about medical information that comes with a referral that may be beyond the expertise of your local pediatrician. In addition, they also deal with medical problems of children adopted from other countries. For further information contact:

  Dr. Laurie Miller 
  International Adoption Clinic 
  New England Medical Center 
  750 Washington Street, Box 286 
  Boston, MA 02111 
  617-636-8121 
  (enclose check for $50 payable to IAC)  
  

  Dr. Dana Johnson 
  University of Minnesota 
  International Adoption Clinic
  420 Delaware Street NE, Box 211 
  Minneapolis, MN 55455 
  612-626-2928 
  website: http://www.cyfc.umn.edu/Adoptinfo/iac.html 
  (Enclose cover letter with specific questions or concerns 
  include phone number and good time to call you back. 
  Send no payment, but they will enclose a donation envelope with their reply to you).  
  

  

  Dr. Jane Aronson
  International Pediatric Health Services, PLLC
  151 East 62nd Street, Suite 1A
  New York, New York 10021
  e-mail:  orphandoctor@aol.com
  web site:  www.orphandoctor.com
  212-207-6666 office
  212-207-6665 fax

• The U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has information on suggested vaccinations and precautions for travelers in China. For most people, vaccinations for Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, measles, and tetanus should be up to date before travel.

• The Visa Medical Examination: The Facts, by Jerri Ann Jenista, MD. An explanation of the purpose of the medical examination that is required by the INS.

• A letter to Families with Children from China, by Jeri Jenista M.D. An article listing and explaining the laboratory tests that she suggests should be performed on your child soon after you return from China.

• A Report on the Medical Condition of Children Arrived from China, by Michael Traister, M.D. Here is an article describing some of the more common medical conditions seen in adopted children newly arrived in the U.S. from China.

• A Pediatrician's View, by Nancy Hendrie, M.D. Her views about the health of children adopted from China.

• Scabies is a very contagious infection of children found both in the U.S. and in China. Here is an article by Denise Shields from an FCC newsletter on one parents experience with this condition.

• PKids is an organization for parents of children with infections diseases such as hepatitis B or C.

• Hepatitis B: No Guarantee, by Jerri Ann Jenista, MD, Dana E. Johnson, MD, Laurie C. Miller, MD, Dennis L. Murray, MD. Hepatits B is a virus that infects a small percentage of the children adopted from China. Here is a summary of some information about this infection.

• Is There Life after Hepatitis B? , by Jerri Ann Jenista, M.D. Hepatitis B is a chronic infection that can last a lifetime. Here is an article on living with this medical condition.

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