[Graciegal]

Can anyone tell me what medical tests should be done (or they recommend to be done) when you bring your baby home? I seem to remember some posts from last year recommending tests for different worms and such.... anyone??

thanks!!

cherie'

[DPline]

This is the list our agency gave us. (Not that I have any clue what most of them mean) I personally am a big advocate of having titers done. Both my kids came home with perfect looking immunization records, and still had to have some shots redone.

Hepatitis B screen, including Hepatitis B surface antigen, Hepatitis B surface antibody, and Hepatitis B core antibody
Hepatitis C screen
HIV ELISA and/or PCR screen
Complete blood count
Lead level
RPR or VDRL
TSH, preferably state metabolic screen
Tuberculosis
Urinalysis
Diphtheria and Tetanus antibodies and Polio neutralizing titers (not complement fixation titers)
Immunization titers

[DeeVee]

Debbie's list is pretty thorough (she always has great info).

I took Carolina to the IA clinic at Vanderbilt, not knowing what to ask for. Since they deal with kids from everywhere, they knew what to do. The list is similar to Debbie's, with the addition of a stool sample and metabolic screening.

If there is an IA clinic or specialist near you, I'd recommend using them, at least for the first doctor visits.

[Wonk]

This is the link to the Minnesota Adoption Clinic. They had a bunch of tests that they did when we brought our child in. Went way beyond blood tests to determine developmental issues and such. I would definitely give them a call to ask them about what they screen for. They did a ton of things a regular doctor wouldn't do. Also because they see so many kids, they know what to look for that is country-specific. When we went, they spent about an hour doing all sorts of screening things. Well worth the time and money. Call if you can't get here or a similar place and get a list from them.

[Guatemomtobe]

I just took my dd to pediatrician two weeks ago. There is a list of tests recommended for all internationally adopted children put out by the American Association of Pediatricians. You could try googling. Debbie's list is pretty thorough. My dr is also doing stool samples to test for parasites. She did titers on my dd and unfortunately she will have to repeat most of them.

Good luck,
Susan