Current Paediatrics
Volume 11, Issue 6 , Pages 480-485, December 2001

Physical child abuse: challenges and pitfalls in the diagnosis

  • M.A. Barber (Clinical Lecturer in Child Health)

      Affiliations

    • University of Wales College of Medicine, Heath Park, Cardiff, CF14 4XN, UK
    • ,
  • J.R. Sibert (Professor of Community Child Health)

      Affiliations

    • Department of Child Health, University of Wales College of Medicine, Academic Centre, Llandough Hospital, Penarth, Vale of Glamorgan, CF64 2XX, UK

Abstract 

The challenges and pitfalls that present to clinicians when confronted with injuries to a child suspected of suffering physical abuse are many. The diagnosis rests on an informally computed probability of the combined injuries being caused by abuse. The various types of injury seen are discussed, together with the evidence-base for our clinical decision-making. Further quantitative research is needed in this field. Children commonly present with a number of different injuries and an holistic, integrated approach to the assessment and investigation of injuries should be employed.

Keywords: child abuse, child protection, physical abuse, burns, fractures, scalds, bruising, sub-dural haemorrhage, brain injury, diagnosis, investigation

No full text is available. To read the body of this article, please view the PDF online.

To access this article, please choose from the options below

Login to an existing account or Register a new account.

  • Purchase this article for 10.00 USD (You must login/register to purchase this article)

    Online access for 24 hours. The PDF version can be downloaded as your permanent record.

  • Claim access now

    For current subscribers with Society Membership or Account Number.

  • Visit SciVerse ScienceDirect to see if you have access via your institution.
 
  • f1 Correspondence to: JRS. Tel: 029 2071 6934; Fax: 029 2035 0140; E-mail: Sibert@CARDIFF.AC.UK

PII: S0957-5839(01)90228-3

doi:10.1054/cupe.2001.0228

Current Paediatrics
Volume 11, Issue 6 , Pages 480-485, December 2001

Article Tools