Ready for Adoption?
Want to Adopt? Click here
Adoption Network
Click here to be helped
in California!
Pregnant? Click here
Adoption Network
Adopt Help Adopt Help Adopt Help

Anemia in Adopted Children

  • Currently 0/5 Stars.
You may use the stars on the left to rate and leave feedback for the current article. No registration is required. Waiting for 5 votes 0.0 of 5 stars (0 votes) — Thanks for your vote

Please fill out the following optional information before submitting your rating:



Please note, this page is no longer being maintained and may contain old or inaccurate information. Visit the home page or select a category in the navigation for more up-to-date information.
Anemia in Adopted Children Anemia in Adopted Children

Anemia is widespread in children adopted from abroad. Malnutrition is the major cause of iron deficiency anemia. It has been documented in the medical literature of specific countries, like China. [Chen et al. 1992b] A complete blood count (CBC) will uncover anemia. Forty children (31%) out of a population of 129 who were screened in an adoption clinic in Boston were anemic. [Miller et al. 1995b] We know that iron deficiency anemia can interfere with normal growth and be a cause of developmental delay and learning problems. With proper nutrition and iron supplementation, anemia can resolve and medical complications can be minimized.

Click Here to Learn More

There are also genetic anemias that are found in children from specific countries like Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, and China. When there were great waves of immigration of Southeast Asian individuals during and after the war in Vietnam, physicians gained experience in the epidemiology, diagnosis, and treatment of anemias indigenous to this area of the world. This has helped pediatricians enormously in their understanding of anemia in children adopted from this part of the world. [Glader & Look 1996] Having a genetic trait for an anemia is generally not harmful to the individual, but in combination with the same trait as might occur during reproduction, this can lead to a life threatening disease in the newborn infant. A CBC and a hemoglobin electrophoresis test will reveal underlying hemoglobinopathies (anemias due to abnormal hemoglobin proteins). Another unusual abnormality of red blood cells is a deficiency of an enzyme, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase; this genetic enzyme deficiency can be found in southern Chinese, Southeast Asians, Filippinos, Greeks, Italians, Sephardic Jews, and African Americans and can cause anemia when there are particular exposures to certain medications and infections. [Segel 1996]

Back to Overview of Health Issues in Children Adopted from Abroad

Home | Dr. Aronson | Get Started | Travel | Pediatrics | Resources
© Copyright 1999 All rights reserved.
Dr. Jane Ellen Aronson

Add Your Comments!

We want to know what you think. Your comments are important to us and the other readers. You are what makes this site special.

You must be logged in to comment

You must be registered to post. Register here | Forgot your password?

Unplanned Pregnancy?
California
Click here to visit Adoption Network Law Center
ANLC provides Birthmothers with free 24/7 support. Caring advisors help create an adoption plan that meets each Birthmother's specific needs. Free housing and financial assistance for medical/living expenses may be available.
Adoption Network Law Center
(866) 942-3678  
 
 Adoption Profiles
Sponsored Links