March 8, 2010
HIV can be passed from a birthmother to child during pregnancy, labor, delivery or breastfeeding. Transmission rates are approximately 35% if the mother and child are not treated (this average varies in different parts of the world and twins have a higher transmission rate). The best way to prevent transmission is for the mother to stay on a course of anti-retroviral therapy(ARV) throughout the pregnancy, and for the newborn baby to receive medicine as well. In this scenario, transmission rates fall to 1%.
All newborn babies carry their birthmother’s antibodies. A baby born to a mother with HIV will test positive to an HIV antibody test, until the mother’s antibodies leave the baby’s bloodstream, which can take up to 18 months. This does not mean that the baby has HIV. The recommended HIV test for babies 18 months or younger is a PCR test which tests the baby’s DNA (not the antibodies).
Negative: HIV infection can reasonably be excluded among HIV exposed children with two or more negative DNA PCR tests performed at age greater than one month and one of those being performed at or greater than four months. Negative DNA PCR tests drawn when the infant is less than 28 days do not exclude HIV infection, particularly if the infant has been exposed to antiretroviral medication in utero or after birth.
Positive: An infant is diagnosed as infected at any age by two positive DNA PCR tests performed on separate specimens.
HIVguidelines.org
March 6, 2010
Could this be the last generation of AIDS orphans? From the United Nations News Centre. A wonderful ambitious plan. Here is a short excerpt:
The United Nations is seeking to virtually eliminate mother-to-child transmission of HIV in sub-Saharan Africa, where 390,000 infants became infected with the virus that causes AIDS in 2008, through the use of antiretroviral drugs during and after delivery.
“AIDS has become the leading cause of death among infants and young children in much of sub-Saharan Africa,” Joint UN Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) Executive Director Michel Sidibé said…
March 5, 2010
Look who has their referral! At The Watershed has just accepted a referral for a baby girl in Ethiopia. They have been waiting a long time for this and they are thrilled. Congratulations!
March 4, 2010
There is an HIV orphanage in Jamaica called Dare to Care which has 3 homes in Kingston and Spanish Town with 65 children between the ages of 18 months – 16 years. Here is some further info in the Jamaica Online Star, The Gleaner, contact info, and a Google search will provide many more links. There are probably other HIV+ children in other orphanages – the CDA in Jamaica will match you with a child according to the age/gender/special needs you request.
I will be posting about a waiting child soon. Less than 100 Jamaican children per year find adoptive families in America.
Children are available for adoption as young as 6 weeks.
The only agency I know of which places children from Jamaica is Hands Across the Water. I’m not sure if they would be able to help you adopt an HIV positive child. I have never researched this agency; always do your research.
Most Jamaican adoptions are done independently, without an agency. The adoption authority in Jamaica is the CDA.
Requirements according to Adoption.State.Gov, and Rainbow Kids.
Age Requirements: At least 25 years old and no upper age limit.
Marriage Requirements: Single persons are allowed to adopt. Couples must be married at least 1 year.
Other Requirements: No restrictions on family size.
After a referral is accepted, the adoption process in Jamaica takes about 3 months. You then travel to Jamaica and stay 5-7 days in Kingston to get your child’s visa from the US Embassy, then travel home with your child. Citizens of the US receive guardianship and complete the adoption at the county court where they reside (your home-study agency will assist you).
March 2, 2010
There are a few HIV positive waiting children in Latvia who are available for international adoption. Latvia is an Eastern European country between Lithuania, Estonia, Russia and Belarus across the Baltic Sea from Sweden. It is a Hague country. Parents are required to travel for 1 to 2 weeks and rent an apartment where the child comes to live with you for a bonding period. If the referral is not suitable, you can request another. Once a referral is accepted, there is a court hearing, followed by a 20 day waiting period, during which you can fly home or wait in country. Total travel time is 5-6 weeks if you stay in Latvia, or you can make 2 trips. Dossiers for special needs children are given priority. The children are aged 1-16. Most adoptions take 12-18 months. Typically it takes 3-5 months for document preparation, then 1-2 months to be registered in Latvia. Requirements:
Age Requirements: The adoptive parent should be at least 25 years old, and at least 18 years older than the child.
Marriage Requirements: Single men and women are allowed, as well as married couples.
Agencies: The following agencies are accredited in Latvia:
