Adoption: a forgotten paediatric speciality.
OBJECTIVE
To study the medical, emotional, and developmental profile of children being considered for permanent substitute care.


METHODS
A retrospective analysis of 100 adoption/permanency medicals.


METHODS
All children considered by the adoption and permanency panel in Greenwich, south east London, between 1994 and 1998.


METHODS
Analysis of medical reports completed using the British Agencies for Adoption and Fostering form C (under 5 years) or form D (over 5 years). These include the details of a physical examination, including vision, hearing, height, and weight; emotional and behavioural concerns expressed by the foster carer and school progress.


RESULTS
These children have complex needs. Only 31 of the 100 children were considered unlikely to have significant medical, developmental, or emotional problems.


CONCLUSIONS
Adoption medical work is becoming more specialised. Healthcare commissioners should establish minimum standards for the doctors involved in this work. As the NHS moves towards becoming a more primary care led organisation, this small service must not be forgotten. The NHS devotes few resources and little training to adoption. The medical input required to support adoption and fostering services should be recognised as a specialist paediatric service and adequately resourced.
Mather
M
M
Greenwich Healthcare Trust, Market Street Clinic, 16-20 Market Street, Woolwich, London SE18 6QR, UK. MaryMather@doctors.org.uk
D000293:Adolescent; D000300:Adoption; D017677:Age Distribution; D002648:Child; D002653:Child Behavior Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis; D002662:Child Health Services; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002658:Developmental Disabilities / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008131:London / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008499:Medical Records; D010372:Pediatrics; D010808:Physical Examination; D011204:Poverty Areas; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies