A child from a Russian orphanage will most likely come with either a very detailed medical history with a variety of medical terms Western society has never heard of or they will have only the history from when they entered the orphanage, as there was little or no medical care or history prior to their orphanage life.

Russian Medial Reports can often be difficult to interpret because of the language translation but typically the medical care is sound, or at least they try to be with the money they are allotted.

Dr. Jenista, of Michigan, has a very detailed dictionary of Russian medical terms and how they apply to Russian adoptees.  These came in handy for us when the doctors downloaded AJ’s medical history to us in under 30 minutes. And, make sure to read this very frank PowerPoint presentation on adoption medicine and the truths of international adoption. If you are still in the process of adopting, don’t let it scare you…just open your eyes a little.

Find a medical clinic to help you with your referral or to help you when you get home.