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HomeClinics, Services & ProgramsA-Z DirectoryGlobal healthInternational Adoption Clinic

International Adoption Clinic

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Children, youth and families  Healthcare providers


CHEO’s International Adoption Clinic (IAC) opened in 2003. The clinic supports children in Eastern Ontario and Western Quebec, as well some patients from across Ontario. While the clinic mostly sees children who have recently arrived in Canada, we do also accept referrals for children who have been in Canada longer when there are specific medical issues or questions. 

About our team 

Our team consists of a Medical Director Pediatrician with expertise in global child health and international adoption and is supported by a pediatric nurse. 

Information for children, youth and families

Before your appointment

Please sign up for a MyChart account before your first visit. 

Our scheduling team will contact you by phone to schedule an appointment. 

Our clinic team will contact you prior to your first visit to arrange the secure transfer of any adoption referral information, growth charts, pre-adoption medical laboratory test and imaging results, and consultations performed in the patient’s country of origin, as well as past immunization records. We will strive to review this information in advance of the first consultation to make our time together more efficient.  

If something changes and you need to reschedule your appointment, please let us know at least 24-48 hours in advance if you are unable to make it by calling 613-737-7600 x2222. No-shows or frequent cancellations may result in discharge from the service. 

What to expect during your appointment

CHEO’s International Adoption Clinic is located in C1 (Main building, level 2- main floor.) 

You will need to bring the following items to your appointment: 

  • Health card 

  • List of any medications, including dosages 

  • List of allergies 

  • Immunization record (source country and those in Canada) 

  • Adoption referral information, growth charts, pre-adoption medical test results (labs, imaging) and medical documents if available (physician, surgical or psychologist reports, hospital discharge summaries) 

After your appointment

Screening laboratory results will be available on MyChart shortly after your first visit, although some specialized testing takes weeks for the final result to be posted.  

All results will be thoroughly reviewed with families during their next appointment.  

Frequently asked questions

How can I make an appointment?

All patients must be referred by a physician or nurse practitioner. After a referral is received, we will notify the referring physician or nurse practitioner whether the referral has been accepted or denied, and if accepted we will provide an estimated wait time. This wait time can vary based on demand and urgency. Once we have an appointment spot to offer, our scheduling team will reach you by phone to schedule an appointment.

Do you accept referrals for patients from Quebec?

Yes, by the referral process described above.

Who should I contact if I am worried or have questions?

For any emergency, call 911. This includes emergencies involving your child’s international adoption-related concerns. 

  • For patients who are being followed by the IAC: For patients who have seen a CHEO International Adoption Provider, call your nurse case manager or send a direct message to them through MyChart. This is not for urgent calls. Our nurses are here to give support, education and will work to coordinate your child’s care. It may take 3-5 days for us to get back to you (and sometimes longer during holidays). We will return the most serious calls first. Please avoid leaving multiple messages for the same issue. 

  • For patients who are waiting for their first visit with the IAC: Please do not call the nursing line if you have not yet been seen by a CHEO International Adoption Provider. Please call your family doctor, pediatrician or visit your nearest walk-in clinic for timely medical advice. 

Does the IAC physician provide review of child referral documentation from adoption agencies, during the time when a family is considering adopting a prospective child (pre-adoption)?

No, unfortunately at this time we are unable to provide this pre-adoption service.

Can we book the first clinic visit while we are still with our child in their country of origin?

Unfortunately, due to many potential changes in travel plans for families, this is not possible. We look forward to booking their first consultation with a referral, shortly after your return to Canada.

My child has been in Canada for a few years, but they are experiencing a potential adoption-related medical issue. Will the clinic still assess them?

While our clinic’s services may be most helpful immediately after your child’s adoption, yes, we have accepted patient referrals after a period of time home. This also applies to re-referrals for past patients of the IAC who have been discharged from the clinic, for whom new issues have come up.

Please contact our clinic if you have a unique scenario to review.

Sign up for MyChart to access your CHEO health record anywhere, any time. 
MyChart is a secure, online patient portal that connects you to parts of your CHEO electronic health record and allows you to send two-way secure communication to your care team, complete any questionnaires your care team sends and much more. 
To learn more about MyChart and sign up, visit our MyChart page and fill out the MyChart Access Request Form.

Information for Healthcare Providers

CHEO’s International Adoption Clinic provides pediatric consultation for children adopted from a multitude of countries. We screen for common medical conditions, infectious diseases and complications arising from institutional care. We review past immunization schedules and provide advice to primary care providers for vaccine reconciliation and catch-up immunization planning according to the NACI (National Advisory Committee on Immunization) Canadian guidelines.  

We aim to review nutrition, growth, development, attachment,and psychological issues through a minimum of 5 clinic visits over 2 years. We recommend early intervention for development concerns through referral to appropriate local health care providers. 

Make a referral

Our clinic is now accepting e-referrals with Ocean!

If you’re already on Ocean, look us up via your account by searching "CHEO".
If you don’t yet have an Ocean account, no problem - signing up is free.

Make a referral in Ocean

You can make an e-referral using Ocean, or send a referral by mail or fax to our address below.

Referral criteria and eligibility

Referral criteria
Reason for referral Criteria Mandatory information to include in referral Other information
Medical review of a child adopted internationally Child adoption from outside of Canada
  • Child’s age at adoption
  • Source country
  • Adoption date and arrival date in Canada
  • Known medical and surgical conditions/past medical history
  • Growth charts
  • Immunization records
  • New concerns in Canada
If documentation of past medical history from country of origin is voluminous, parents may send directly to clinic electronically or bring paper copies at their first visit. This includes all past laboratory testing, imaging and consultants' reports.

Other information

If the child has been in Canada for some time, please include interim medical history under your care.

Other helpful information for providers

The key Canadian publication for International Adoption (Public Health Agency of Canada) was co-authored by CHEO Drs. Hui and MacDonnell as well as Susan Kuhn (Calgary). 

There is a section on International Adoption in the Caring for Kids New to Canada publication from the Canadian Pediatric Society, reviewed by CHEO IAC Physicians. 

Contact us

International Adoption Clinic 
CHEO 
401 Smyth Road 
Ottawa, ON K1H 8L1 
Location: CHEO Clinic C1 

Email: iac@cheo.on.ca 
Fax written referrals to: 613-738-4292 

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