Affiliations: Pediatric Unit, Department of Gynecological,
Obstetrical and Pediatric Sciences, Bologna, Italy | Dermatology Unit, Department of Internal Medicine,
Aging and Nephrological Diseases, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
Abstract: We investigated whether differences in the immunization status of
adoptees might be related to their region of origin. 151
internationally-adopted children (35.1% from Latin America; 32.4% from Eastern
Europe and ex-Soviet Union countries; 21.2% from South-east Asia and 11.3% from
Africa; mean age 4.5 years) were assessed with 45 days of arrival in Italy.
26.5% of patients had invalid, or no, documentation of previous immunizations.
Valid records were available for 88.7% and 87.8% of children from Latin America
and Eastern Europe respectively, but in only 43.8% and 41.2% of children from
South-east Asia and Africa. 76/131 (58.0%) of children tested had protective
anti-HBs antibody titres. Protective titres of anti-tetanus, -diphtheria and
-pertussis antibodies were found in 59.7%, 80.4% and 41.5% of children,
respectively. Antibodies against measles, mumps and rubella were found in
77.1%, 53.4% and 76.7% respectively among children older than 12 months.
Considerable differences in immunization status exist between adoptees coming
from different regions. Evaluation of their immune status is necessary so that
they can be properly immunized as a result of differences in immunization
schedule and concerns about vaccination records and effectiveness of vaccines received.
Keywords: International adoptions, vaccine-preventable diseases, immunization
