Foreign adopted children are a source of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus transmission to countries with low prevalence.

We report a 13.0% prevalence rate of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) carriers in foreign adopted children, who are frequently hospitalized within the first year after arrival. Hospitalization in the country of origin and special need status are no significant risk factors for MRSA colonization. Healthcare workers are overrepresented among their adoptive parents. These children represent a potential source of MRSA transmission into the healthcare system.