[nhook]

I was wondering if anyone adopted or considered adopting a toddler who had an HIV or Hepatitus positive birthmother. The child has been tested and is not infected. Is it too early to tell if they will develop it? What are the risks?

[n33]

We attempted to adopt an 18 month old boy in 2005 but lost him to his aunt. He was born to an HIV and Hepatitis positive **. He was tested frequently from birth and had 2 DNA PCR tests done to confirm he was negative for both. He was. He was on a list to be tested frequently (every 3 months). When we traveled on our 1st trip we were informed by his pediatrician that he was being taken off of the list to be tested because if he didn't have it by then he wasn't going to. His last test was at 18 months.

We were in constant contact with a pediatrician who specializes in international adoptions from Russia. She agreed but when you take them for their first appointment once you get home they redo all of those tests anyway.

We adopted our daughter at the same time. She was/is healthy.

I can't say enough about doing research!

God Bless and good luck!

[Ebadge90]

My wife and I adopted a little boy whose birth mother was positive for both HIV and Hepatitis C. Our little boy was born positive for both HIV and hepatitis C. He had been tested in Russia for both of the diseases, and finally about 9 months of age he tested negative for the anti bodies for both. According to our IA doctor as well as our pediatrician, the baby can test positive for the anti bodies until they are 18 months old, without being afflicted with the disease. The antibodies will pass from the birth mother to the child through the placenta, but both doctors said that there was a very good chance that the HIV and Hep C would not pass through the placenta into the child. The anti bodies that he was testing positive for were due to his mother having both diseases.
Unfortunately, there is no way to tell if the anti bodies were from the mother, or if they were being produced by the baby because he had either of the diseases.
Since we had recieved 2 tests that showed no anti bodies for each disease, the doctors were as sure as they could be that our little boy had not contracted either of the diseases. But, as far as I know, if the baby is testing positive for the anti bodies, there is no way to tell if the child is positive for the disease, or if he is testing positive for the anti bodies passed on by the mother.
That is what I know from our experience. I am by no means an expert on the issue. Others on this board have also been in a situation with positive tests, and I'm sure they can shed more light on this matter.
I can only say that I am the very proud father of a now 16 month old happy and healthy baby boy.

[Sally26]

Our daughter tested positive for Hep. C antibodies. From the research I did antibodies does not mean the child has the Hep. C. She ran a 4% risk of developing Hep. C. Someone posted a slightly higher % than that, but my research said 4%. Emily showed not antibodies by 12mths. I also remember reading that she will now be immune to Hep. C (kind of like an immunization), but should not donate blood. I don't know if HIV would be the same and there are different strains of it. I wouldn't think that the information would be too different for Hep. B. I did a lot of searching on the internet.

Anyone in the medical community that has differing information please correct me if I'm wrong.

[lakimnafite]

If you look back to March two years ago, you'll see our story about Olya. Olya's mother was HIV positive and of course Olya tested positive for antibodies at birth. She had later negative tests and was offerred to us at 8 months old. She had received three consecutive negative HIV tests, and doctors I spoke with said she was low risk.

Fast forward to March, 2005 - after we had waited 5 months for court. Olya had gotten sick during the winter and started testing positive again for HIV. After three months and three positives, they changed her status to HIV positive, took her off the registry, and placed her in an AIDS baby house.

The 18 month mark is a good indication. If they have three negative tests and are over 18 months, then it's safe to say they are negative. From what I learned, if they are under 18 months old, there is still a risk.

I would still consider adopting a baby from an HIV positive birth mother - but only if they are almost 2..

Good luck!

[KatieIC]

We brought home Finley at almost 2 10 mos ago. She had tested pos for Hep C at birth, but never again. She had many tests, continues too, actually, but no one seems to think she will ever test positive for it again. From what I hear, this is a sign that the bmom had it and would not effect her in all likelihood.

Finley is SUPER healthy, incidently. SUPER. She has her FIRST cold right now - since March 2006 when she came home. She has grown nearly 7 inches since then and three shoe sizes, but maintained her weight (Um...prob a good thing as she came home at almost 35 lbs). My two cents...

[trnews71]

How old is your refferal? Our little girl soon to be daughter :-) was born to HIV pos mother and Hept C-- The baby has been in remission and has been taken off the registry she is now 5...

[mommyto4]

Like previously posted Russia test every 3 months until 18 months of age and if they are negative at 18 months they are taken off the hiv registry. I would not worry after that, we were told there is a fear in Russia of children born to hiv positive mom's and the children who test negative to hiv still have a very slim chance of ever being adopted by a Russian family,therefore your chances of losing the referral are very slim. Best wishes with your decision.