International Adoptees: Special Considerations Upon Presentation for Urgent or Emergent Care

International adoption has been part of our society for many years. Each year, thousands of children are adopted by families in the United States, and many of these children seek emergency care for one reason or another. Whereas common diseases present commonly, certain infectious and other diseases affect international adoptees more commonly than their American-born peers. A child's country of origin can sometimes help guide the clinician toward more likely etiologies of illness. Illnesses uncommon in the United States or Western Europe often occupy higher positions on the differential diagnosis list for these children. When managing illnesses in the international adoptee population, it is also important to maintain a healthy skepticism for the accuracy of preadoption immunization records and related health care information. This accentuates the importance of considering the child's country of origin and performing a thorough physical examination.