[charlotte16]

Hi all,
In general, are there any concerns regarding the health of VN children? For instance, I know in eastern europe there are a lot of concerns with fetal alcahol issues. What about Vietnam? Anything there like parasites, diseases, etc.. that are common with these kids?
Thanks for any info!

[brendanod]

Hi Charlotte,

Vietnamese children are usually very healthy, there is an abundance of fresh food there. Mothers as a rule do not smoke or drink. Usual health problems are infected sores, head lice, scabies, chest infections etc, nothing that cannot be cleared by a course of antibiotics or topical treatments.

You receive the results of a medical check before adopting, HIV, Hep B etc.

[charlotte16]

Thanks again Brendanod...that is very good to hear! It does not sound like there should be any major medical concerns.

[sak9645]

Back when VN was open before, there seemed to be a good deal of eczema and a good deal of asthma.

With any internationally adopted child, there is a risk of attachment disorder. It can happen even in infants, but is even more common in older kids. Attachment disorder can range from the very mild and treatable to the very serious.

With any internationally adopted child, where the birthparents are unknown, there are risks related to the child's genetic heritage. As an example, you won't know if grandma had schizophrenia or if a lot of family members died early of breast cancer.

With many countries, but especially Asian countries, undiagnosed Hep. B is a problem. Hep. B is transmitted from infected mother to baby in the birth process, as well as through other contacts with blood and bodily fluids. Most countries test, but the countries' testing may or may not be reliable, and the child can be infected between testing and referral. Some people with Hep. B will be asymptomatic. However, some will have liver impairments and may be subject to cirrhosis or liver cancer later in life.

Although it is rarely found in children who are adopted, HIV is present in VN, and it is always possible that a child will be found to have it when he/she comes home.

Sharon