The adoption of the 'at risk' baby.
The high incidence of cerebral palsy among adopted children in Cape Town has long been a cause for concern. Five such children from a recent series of 12, in which pre- and perinatal histories were known, were high-risk infants. All were thought to have been normal at the time of adoption. The need for expert medical examination before adoption is stressed, risks that adoptive parents must take are evaluated, and the psychological aspects of delaying adoption are also considered. Some suggestions are made for modifying the existing adoption procedures in this country.
D000300:Adoption; D002547:Cerebral Palsy / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007878:Legislation as Topic; D010808:Physical Examination; D012306:Risk; D013019:South Africa; D013997:Time Factors