NCJ Number
183736
Date Published
1997
Length
46 pages
Annotation
The diagnostic evaluation of suspected child abuse victims inevitably involves and directly affects children and their families; potential risks of further abusive injury to children should be weighed against prolonged effects of family distress and disruption.
Abstract
The diagnosis of abusive versus unintentional causes of childhood injuries can usually be made if the history is carefully compared with the observed injuries. Physicians should attempt to define and document their degree of confidence in the diagnosis and should evaluate the timing and causal mechanisms of injury. If the child sustains physical injury through abusive or neglectful acts, the child's future safety should be considered, and a plan should be developed to provide protection. General diagnostic principles to guide the evaluation of child physical abuse are described, as well as characteristics of specific injuries caused by abuse. These injuries include bruises, burns, head injuries, ocular injuries, abdominal injuries, and skeletal injuries. The importance of distinguishing between unintentional injury versus neglect is emphasized. 102 references, 4 tables, 5 figures, and 29 photographs