Individual states and private adoption agencies vary in their policies regarding how much and what type of information may be shared regarding a child's natural parents. Generally, they will not update medical information once the adoption is final, so be sure to obtain as much information as possible during the adoption process. You may feel hesitant about pressing for information because you don't want to displease the people who will decide whether you may have custody of the child, but most officials will be understanding if you make clear that you're asking for the most complete information possible so that you can take good care of the child throughout his life.
Birth Mothers
If you decide to give your child up for adoption, provide as much detail as possible about your medical history and that of your child's father. Be sure to include any medical conditions that run in either of your families, even among extended family members, like cousins, because this is part of your child's genetic history and it may become relevant to medical treatment later in life, according to Genetic Health. If possible, leave open a channel of communication after the adoption is final, perhaps through an intermediary, such as a lawyer or adoption agency staff, so that if a hereditary medical condition affects you, you can alert the adoptive parents.
Adoptive Parents
While some states and private adoption agencies limit information on the birth parents for privacy reasons, be sure to record whatever information you can obtain. Even information, such as race and ethnicity of the birth parents, can be helpful because some ethnic groups are more susceptible to certain diseases and conditions. Information on family medical history can help your child as well as her doctor because adopted persons often experience anxiety about their family medical history, according to Adoption.com. This is particularly true of women when they are pregnant because they worry about genetic conditions they may pass on to their child.
Your Pediatrician
Be sure to tell your pediatrician if your child is adopted. Otherwise, the doctor is likely to assume the child has your family history. Share as much as you know about your child's family history, including when the onset of any health issues occurred, recommends Genetic Health. This is important because if a family member had cancer at a young age, the doctor may decide to order tests that he ordinarily would not for a person of your child's age.
Siblings
If you are adopted, you may not know much about your parents' medical history, but you may have contact with your siblings and their medical history may provide important clues to your genetic makeup. In fact, some conditions, such as the genetic iron storage disease hemochromatosis, are more likely to show up in siblings than in parents, according to Genetic Health. Even if you have detailed information about your parents' medical problems, the additional information about siblings can be important to your treatment. For example, your doctor's approach would likely be different if your father had cancer versus if your father and two siblings had cancer.
Older Children
If you are adopting a child who is not an infant, be sure to ask for complete information on her cognitive and social development as well as her medical history, including immunizations. It's important for you to know about any learning disabilities or developmental anomalies so that you can arrange for assessment and special assistance, if appropriate. Similarly, ask about chronic illnesses or injuries so that you can take appropriate precautions. Also, ask about any history of abuse so that you will be able to share that information with counselors or social workers if your child needs assistance in overcoming this trauma.
