NCJ Number
165016
Journal
Child Abuse and Neglect Volume: 20 Issue: 10 Dated: (October 1996) Pages: 979-981
Date Published
1996
Length
3 pages
Annotation
Two cases of intentionally inflicted injury on the male genitalia of children are reported, based on the observation that child abuse primarily documents and discussed injuries involving the genitalia of females who have been sexually abused.
Abstract
The first case involved a 24-month-old boy brought by his adoptive mother to an emergency room for his injured penis. The woman said that he sat down on some plastic toys in the tub, but she could not produce any toys that had sharp edges or protrusions. The second case involved a 6-month-old boy whose father said he guessed that the child's 3-year-old sibling had pulled on the penis. Both cases were referred to Children's Protective Services due to the unusual nature of the injuries and the incompatibility of the histories with the physical findings. Both children had their wounds repaired by physicians who stated that the wounds were incisions and incompatible with tearing of the skin. These cases and a review of the literature indicate that findings similar to those in these cases should be reported as suspected child abuse and investigated thoroughly. In addition, the perpetrators' mental health should be assessed. Photograph and 9 references