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      "Our experience with Hepatitis B had taught us one thing--this was something we COULD manage in a child. So, when we adopted again, we put Hepatitis B down as something we would most assuredly accept in a child. No hesitation on that whatsoever!! And sure enough, when we received our referral, it was for a child who was Hepatitis B positive. We alerted the pediatrician ahead of time and made plans for what tests we wanted run on our new child and he made the comment to us, "If anyone can handle this, you two can." While that made me feel good, I realized we hadn't done anything special or that deserved acclaim, but what we had done was educate ourselves. That makes all the difference."

                                                                                            ---Mother of Adopted Daughter with HBV

 

One of the primary means by through which HBV is transmitted is through vertical transmission, from mother to child. Many children born in Eastern Asia come into this world as HBV infected themselves, and are often left orphaned at a young age. Though not all kids adopted from countries like Cambodia, Thailand, China, and Korea are infected with HBV, there is certainly a population who are carriers, and it is always good for adoptive parents to be informed. As can be seen by the story above, the disease is not something that should be a discouragement from adoption. In fact, it can in cases like the one above, make a family stronger. If you want to read more about adoption of children with Hepatitis B, click on the logo above.

 

 

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