International adoptions fall

The number of international adoptions has plummeted to its lowest point in 15 years.

The steep decline is attributed largely to crackdowns against baby-selling and efforts by countries to place more children with domestic families.

Adoptions expert Peter Selman of Newcastle University found the number of orphans being adopted globally by foreign parents has dropped from a high of 45,000 in 2004 to an estimated 25,000 last year.

Some experts argue the decrease is linked to the Hague Adoption Convention, aimed at protecting children in light of baby-selling scandals.