Neglect of neglect

Abstract 

Neglect is the absence of adequate parental care and supervision. It is the most frequently reported form of child maltreatment in the UK. Prevalence studies reveal that 6% of adults say they experienced serious absence of care as children. Therefore many cases escape detection and intervention. Neglect is insidious, chronic and often neglected or ignored by professionals. Neglect is linked to poverty and both may have a negative, depressing effect on families and professionals alike. Important indicators of neglect can be found in the child, the parents, family function and especially in the quality of interaction between parent and child. Neglect is associated with significant mortality and with long-lasting morbidity. Effective intervention requires a determined co-ordinated team response in which the paediatrician's role is central to the progress and effectiveness of any treatment programme through assessment of the child's growth and developmental progress.

Keywords: neglect, child abuse, poverty, failure to thrive

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• f1 Correspondence to: CJH. Tel.: +44(0)113 206 6864; Fax: +44(0)113 206 4877; E-mail: chrishobbs@btinternet.com