Abstract
Child adoption represents a robust specialised child welfare service with the potential of meeting the needs and promoting the best interest of a child who have no permanent home or family to relate with. In addition, it provides succour for childless couples. Either way, there are socio-cultural challenges that need to be overcome. This paper reviews the objectives, types of adoption, circumstances in which adoption occurs, eligibility for adoption, and stress system biology/pathophysiology. Posttraumatic stress disorder in adopted children is discussed. The peculiarities and challenges of child adoption in Nigeria are highlighted. In addition, the role of a paediatrician in child adoption process is outlined. An extensive online search of the literature available in English was undertaken via electronic databases such as Nigerian Journals Online, African Journals Online, and Pubmed. Textbooks with chapters on child adoption as well as Newspapers with relevant articles on the subject were also consulted. Generally speaking, all adopted children have experienced some traumatic life event. Such an event, results in children’s brains initiating adaptive stressmediating neural systems. Basically, the paediatrician guides, advises, assists and supports all parties in the adoption triad.
 Conclusion: The interest of each member of the adoption triad changes over time, making it necessary to design adoption process in a way that will provide protection and support for every triad member.
Highlights
Child adoption is an important social paediatric issue but has not received sufficient attention, in developing countries
Child adoption can occur in variety of ways: (i) domestic adoption (ii) public adoption, (iii) intercountry adoption, and (iv) step-parent or kinship adoption
It is informal but legal and it is common in eastern Nigeria), (v) private adoption
Summary
Child adoption is an important social paediatric issue but has not received sufficient attention, in developing countries. Child adoption can occur in variety of ways: (i) domestic adoption (adoption of a child who resides in the vicinity or country) (ii) public adoption (adoption from foster care or orphanage homes), (iii) intercountry adoption (adoptee and adoptive family are from different countries), and (iv) step-parent or kinship adoption It is informal but legal and it is common in eastern Nigeria), (v) private adoption (adoption arranged through an individual such as a doctor, a clergy, or an attorney). Principles that guide child adoption: According to Sibert[10], three questions need to be answered and these represent the principles guiding adoption of a child: (1) Is the adoption in this child’s best interest? (2) Is adoption appropriate for these applicants? (3) Are these particular applicants suitable for this particular child?
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