Guatemala << back The Children Most of the children are either newborns or infants. The staff works with the birth mothers who seek assistance and choose to relinquish their parental rights because of limited economic conditions. Some of the children have been abandoned and assigned to the children's home by the court. Each child has his/her own medical file and is examined frequently by the in-house pediatricians. Adopting parents receive lab test results for Hepatitis, HIV, Syphilis, toxoplasmosis, rubeola, cytomeglavirus and herpes, as well as the child's immunizations. Medications are readily available. The children are typically given Semillac formula. If digestive problems arise, the formula is switched. Referral of a Child Adopting parents are eligible to receive a referral of a child approximately 2 weeks prior to the time they expect to receive INS approval. Age and/or gender may be requested. Children may be referred to the adopting parent(s) as young as several days old and can begin legal processing for adoption as soon as the completed dossier has been received. continue >> LAST UPDATED: 10.02.2000 All Rights Reserved! ©2000