International Adoption

Why should I be concerned?
Prospective parents adopting a child from overseas need information to safeguard the health of the child. Concern exists about children adopted from overseas who may have been exposed to lead before they came to the United States. Recently in the United States, a small number of children who have been adopted from other countries have been found to have high levels of lead in their bodies.

As a group, children who have been adopted from other countries tend to have higher levels of lead in their blood than children born in the United States (3). Children can be exposed to lead in different ways in countries (1, 2, 3).

How do I know if my child was exposed to lead?
Most children with lead in their blood do not have any symptoms. The only way to know for sure is to have your child tested with a blood test.

How can I check for lead in my child?
Ask your child’s doctor to test your child for lead in their blood. You may want to contact your state or local Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program.

Who can I contact for blood lead testing or other information about the health of my child who has been adopted from another country?
You can contact either your doctor or your local health department if you have concerns about lead in your child’s blood or other health concerns.

The American Academy of Pediatrics provides recommendations on comprehensive health evaluations for all children who have been newly adopted.

Adoption service providers play an important role in increasing awareness of lead exposure among children who have been adopted from other countries. Under current regulations and routine practice, blood lead levels among foreign-born children may not be detected.

Adopting parents lack information on the hazards of lead exposure that could help them improve their children’s growth, development, and prospects for the future.

It is important that adoption service providers provide lead-exposure fact sheets with health information, including information on accessible testing sites, to prospective parents.

Adoption service providers should also encourage adopting parents and doctors to test foreign-born children for lead exposure when they arrive in the United States.

International Childhood Lead Exposure
Children immigrating to the United States through intercountry adoptions have health issues as diverse as the cultures into which they were born (6, 7). Although recent research is sparse, evidence suggests that a significant proportion of immigrant children and children who have been adopted from other countries have been exposed to lead. Risk for lead exposure varies by country of origin (1, 2, 3). According to one study, 40% of children from Cuba and Haiti, 37% from Asia, 27% from Vietnam and Africa, and 25% from the Near East had blood lead levels. Overall, approximately 11.3% of children who have been adopted from other countries have blood lead levels ≥10 micrograms per deciliter (1).

Medical Testing before Immigration to United States
Blood lead testing is not required before immigration to the United States. Before arrival in the United States, all immigrants are required to have a medical examination in their country of origin by a physician approved by the local U.S. embassy or consulate. This medical examination focuses primarily on detecting serious disabilities and contagious diseases.

Screening and Medical Management Recommendations
Children who have been adopted from other countries are considered high risk for lead exposure (6, 7, 8). Screening for blood lead level is recommended upon arrival to the United States and at 12 and 24 months of age. Physicians should follow their state and local guidelines on health screening of children living in conditions that place them at a high risk for lead exposure. You can also contact the Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program in your state for additional information.

In 2021, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) adopted use of a blood lead reference value (BLRV) of 3.5 μg/dL or higher based on recommendations from CDC’s federal advisory committee made up of experts in the field. Children with blood lead levels at or above the BLRV represent those at the top 2.5% with the highest blood lead levels. For more information on caring for children with lead in their blood, refer to CDC’s Recommended Actions Based on Blood Lead Level.