1A-S1-4文本框: THE FUTURE FOR CHILDREN IN NEED OF A FAMILY
OCHS, T.
Adoption Pediatrics, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A.

Objective:  Develop rationale for increased communication and cooperation among pediatricians in sending and receiving countries for internationally adopted children.
Method:  Examine worldwide international adoption statistics, studies of adoptee medical, developmental, and psychological problems, and analyze social conditions, especially in the U.S.
Results:  International adoptions are increasing in Western Europe and North American, as are the number of orphans in Eastern Europe and Asia.  A multitude of somatic and psychological maladies has been noted in post-adoptive medical and developmental evaluations.
Conclusions:  Since our nations are judged by how we treat our least powerful citizens, we pediatricians must work together, world wide, to address the myriad health, psychosocial and public health problems of these children.  

Last year, a group of dedicated American pediatricians formed a Section on Adoption within the American Academy of Pediatrics, to educate pediatricians about caring for the special needs of adopted and foster children.  Our AAP section looks forward to working with its international counterparts, to improve health care in sending and receiving countries.