title: [Neuropsychological profile of internationally adopted children in Catalonia].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  During the last years, International adoption has increased significantly in our country over the last few years. China, Russia, Colombia and Ethiopia represent 77% of international adoptions in Spain. Cognitive and behavioural aspects are very important for an adequate social, family and school integration of these children.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To describe the neuropsychological profiles of a group of internationally adopted children in Catalonia from China, Russia, Colombia and Ethiopia.
  
  
  METHODS
  Neuropsychological examination of 49 children from international adoption (6 of Chinese origin, 24 from Russia, 13 from Colombia and 6 of Ethiopian origin).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The group of Chinese origin obtained average scores of all functions evaluated. The Russian origin group was below the average for, selective attention, phonetic verbal fluency, control of impulsivity, mechanics and reading comprehension, and spelling. Scores on the impulse control in the Colombian origin group were below average. The group of Ethiopian origin obtained average scores in all functions evaluated except for spelling difficulties.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Children adopted from Russia have greater neuropsychological difficulties than the others. Most pre-adoption history is unknown; therefore we are unable to determine the origin of these difficulties. Maternal alcohol consumption during pregnancy and the institutional environment could be influencing factors in neuropsychological delay. Inclusion of neuropsychological assessment in health protocols for these children is recommended if they develop suggestive signs of cognitive and/or behavioral impairment.
authors: Servicio de Neurología, Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, Esplugues de Llobregat, Barcelona, España. lcallejonp@hsjdbcn.org
authors: L
authors: L
authors: Callejón-Póo
authors: C
authors: C
authors: Boix
authors: A
authors: A
authors: López-Sala
authors: R
authors: R
authors: Colomé
authors: V
authors: V
authors: Fumadó
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Sans
mesh_terms: D000300:Adoption / Q000523:psychology*; D002648:Child; D002681:China / Q000208:ethnology; D003105:Colombia / Q000208:ethnology; D005002:Ethiopia / Q000208:ethnology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D012426:Russia / Q000208:ethnology; D013030:Spain