[dylav]

I am an international adoptive mother twice over and my husband and I are now considering adoption from Ethiopia. We were just wondering what HIV tests are performed on babies in the 0-18 month range and if you can request further testing? Does an agency let you know if the parents were HIV positive? If this has to be in a pm, please do so. This is our only concern with the Ethiopian adoption program. The program itself looks wonderful and so do the children

Thank you

[ocracoke]

If the child that you are referred in relinquished (not abandoned) then your agency should reveal to you the parent's HIV status (if known). Your child will need to have 2 or 3 (I can't remember now) negative HIV tests before the visa is issued -- unless you are knowingly adopting and HIV+ child. Most agencies use the PCR test now. This is the test that you want -- especially on young children. The test actually tests for the virus while a lot of other tests test for the antibodies. Babies can test positive with an antibody test if born to an HIV+ mother even if the virus was not transmitted to the baby -- a false positive. The PCR test will not give false positives. If your agency does not routinely perform the PCR test then request it. If they charge extra for the test -- pay it. It is well worth it.

Samantha