NCJ Number
36809
Date Published
1975
Length
99 pages
Annotation
THIS BOOK DESCRIBES THE CONDITION OF BATTERED CHILDREN AND DISTINGUISHES THE ACCIDENTALLY INJURED CHILD FROM THE BATTERED CHILD ON RADIOLOGICAL AND DIAGNOSTIC FINDINGS.
Abstract
IT IS DESIGNED FOR DOCTORS, LAWYERS, SOCIAL WORKERS, AND POLICE WHO HAVE AN INTEREST IN THE DIAGNOSIS, PREVENTION, AND TREATMENT OF THE BATTERED CHILD SYNDROME. TYPES OF INJURIES COVERED IN THIS WELL-ILLUSTRATED BOOK INCLUDE FRACTURES, BRUISES, LACERATIONS, SOFT TISSUE SWELLINGS, BURNS, AND INTERNAL ORGAN DAMAGE. X RAYS ARE DESCRIBED AS AN ESSENTIAL TOOL IN INVESTIGATION AND DIAGNOSIS. BY USING THEM, THE RADIOLOGIST SHOULD BE ABLE TO STATE THAT NOT ONLY ARE CERTAIN SKELETAL INJURIES CAUSED BY CHILD ABUSE, BUT THAT THESE INJURIES WERE CAUSED IN A CERTAIN WAY AND ARE OF A CERTAIN AGE. THE MAIN DIAGNOSTIC FEATURES ARE THE METAPHYSICAL LESIONS AND THE MULTIPLE RIB FRACTURES - INJURIES THAT CAN ONLY BE CAUSED BY NON-ACCIDENTAL TRAUMA, EXCEPT IN CASES OF BONE DISEASE OR THE BABY IS INVOLVED IN A VEHICULAR ACCIDENT. A CHAPTER IS ALSO INCLUDED ON THE OPHTHMALIC ASPECTS OF THE CONDITION. THE ILLUSTRATIONS WERE SELECTED FROM SEVERAL HUNDRED CASES OF PROVED BATTERED BABIES, MANY OF WHICH HAD BEEN SUBMITTED TO THE CORONER. THE BOOK STRESSES THE IMPORTANCE OF CLOSE COOPERATION BETWEEN DOCTORS AND SOCIAL SERVICES AGENCIES. THE AUTHORS HOPE THAT THE ATLAS OF THE BATTERED CHILD SYNDROME WILL PROVE TO BE OF SOME HELP IN ESTABLISHING THE DIAGNOSIS, ESPECIALLY TO THE POLICE OFFICER OR SOCIAL WORKER WHO MAY BE THE FIRST PERSON TO EXAMINE THE BABY AND UPON WHOSE CORRECT DECISION THE BABY'S LIFE MIGHT DEPEND. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED) (SNI ABSTRACT)