[Transnational adoptions. Medical and ethical issues].

OBJECTIVE

To report our experience in the problems of international adoptions and their characteristics and management.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Review of patients treated in our pediatrics department and review of the literature.

COMMENT

The adoption of children from other countries is increasing in Spain. The problems presented by these children include infectious diseases, and nutritional and psycho-emotional disorders. Furthermore, pediatricians should take ethical issues into account and discuss them with the adoptive parents.