What medical tests are done on adopted children in the us ten years ago, and now?

Question

When a child is given up for adoption, they would run medical tests, genetics screens, right? What would they check for? HIV, Hemophilia etc.? How has this changed in the last ten fifteen years? What caused these changes?

Answer 1

No, they run no genetics tests, do no screening beyond the standard newborn panel.  This has not changed.

Answer 2

They get the same tests and immunizations any child would have.

Answer 3

As an adoptive mother to a child who was diagnosed with a genetic disorder, it is extremely important that ALL adoptive parents request Newborn Screening to be done on any infants that they adopt.  Not all states or countries do the same Newborn Screening for genetic disorders.  Newborn Screening saves lives, especially in situations where little or no medical history is available.  

Our son was born in NJ.  They tested for MCAD.  We lived in PA, our state did not.  There was no additional testing required when we adopted.  Fortunately, his newborn screening from NJ showed the MCAD and his bio family shared that information with us at the time of adoption.

Answer 4

It was suspected that my son may have HIV because of some sores on his leg. We were unable to contact his bmom and because we didnt have our names on the Birth Certificate, we couldn't get it done. They were however able to do a "generic" virus antibody test to help rule it out. the sores are stil a mystery, but its not HIV.