Miller Children's Hospital International Adoption Program

International adoption has become an increasing phenomenon, with more than 203,500 international children being adopted by U.S. citizens during the past decade.

The majority of internationally adopted children have lived in relatively hostile, crowded, neglectful, pre-adoptive environments that lack adequate hygiene and nutrition. Subsequently, they have significant risks of developing a number of acute and long-term developmental, behavioral and health problems.

In response to the needs of this growing population of children, the Stramski International Adoption Program (SIAP) has been established at the Stramski Center at Miller Children’s Hospital, providing support for these children, their families and their primary care physicians. Medical staff in the program provide pre-adoption consultations, post-adoption assessments and follow-up.

Medical Director

• Gary Feldman, MD

Preliminary Adoption Consultation
The preliminary adoption consultation is a one-on-one session for families who do not have medical information about the prospective children. Our physicians meet with families prior to travel to provide them with appropriate knowledge and tools to evaluate prospective children and information regarding medical, developmental and behavioral risks common to internationally adopted children.

Pre-Adoption Consultation
The pre-adoption consultation, done either face-to-face or by telephone, includes the review of the medical report (translated onto English), photographs and video. This evaluation, based on the materials at hand, will result in a professional impression, not a diagnosis. In addition, information will be provided to empower families with appropriate knowledge regarding medical, developmental and behavioral risks common to internationally adopted children and how to interact with the referred child in the orphanage and after the adoption has taken place. Travel –related advice will also be given.

In-Country Consultation
In-country consultations are provided to families while they are overseas. Families are responsible for contacting the SIAP via phone or e-mail with information they wish to have reviewed.

The SIAP provides a detailed evaluation of internally adopted children in the immediate post-adoptive period. This is ideally completed with 1-2 weeks after arrival. This visit focuses on several components including:

• Physical exam
• Laboratory testing
• Behavior and developmental assessments

Appropriate education and referrals for interventions are provided.

All children are scheduled for a 3-month and 6-month follow-up from the time of initial visit. This is to ensure optimal developmental and behavioral surveillance for this at risk population and allows timely interventions to be made.

Location Details