Romania << back The Children Most of the children are abandoned in the maternity hospital soon after birth. Many of the children arrive at the agency when they are several weeks to several months old. Depending on the maternity hospital and the circumstances surrounding the abandonment or relinquishment of the child, the maternity hospital may release the child into the foundation's custody shortly after birth, or up to several months later. Once placed with a foster family, the child thrives on the love, affection and nourishment that he or she receives. The bonding that each child experiences with his or her foster family makes all the difference to the future adjustment of the child with his or her adoptive family. Each child has his/her own medical file and is examined by the agency's pediatrician. The pediatrician performs monthly well-child visits and is on-call to examine the children as needed. The medical records of the child are given to the adoptive parent(s) at the end of the adoption process. Referral of a Child Adopting parents are eligible to receive a referral of a child after their dossier has been completed. Age and/or gender may be requested. Children may be referred to the adopting parent(s) as young as several months old. Adopting parents will receive the following information with the referral of a child: Name, gender, date of birth, birth and updated measurements, lab test results for HIV, Syphilis and Hepatitis, immunizations, APGAR score, photographs and video. Often adopting parents will also receive social background information about the child's birth mother. Adopting parents may privately engage the Romanian pediatrician to conduct Denver development testing and additional laboratory tests (e.g., toxoplasmosis, rubeola, cytomeglavirus, herpes, PKU), and provide a written medical report addressing the results. Adopting parents may communicate directly with the Romanian pediatrician to consult with her about the written report. continue >> LAST UPDATED: 10.26.2000 All Rights Reserved! ©2000