Neglect of Children's Health (From The APSAC [American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children] Handbook on Child Maltreatment, Second Edition, P 269-292, 2002, John E.B. Myers, Lucy Berliner, et al., eds. -- NCJ-198699)

• NCJ Number: 198710
• Author(s): Howard Dubowitz; Maureen Black
• Date Published: 2002
• Length: 24 pages
• Grant Number(s): 90CA1401/01
• Sponsoring Agency: National Ctr on Child Abuse and Neglect
• Sale Source: Sage Publications, Inc
• Publication Format: Book (Softbound)
• Publication Type: Literature Review
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This chapter on the neglect of children's health discusses definitional issues, incidence, etiology, major manifestations, general principles for evaluation, and intervention.

Abstract

Neglected health care occurs when children's basic health care needs are not met. Although chronic or recurring neglectful situations are especially worrisome, a single exposure to harmful conditions may constitute medical neglect, particularly if the possibility of severe harm is involved. After discussing incidence/prevalence data on child neglected health, a section of the chapter addresses etiology. Belsky (1980) has proposed an ecological theory of multiple and interacting factors at the individual (parent and child), familial, community, and societal levels. Each of these factors is discussed as a possible contributing variable in medical neglect. In discussing the more common forms of neglected health, the chapter considers noncompliance with health care recommendations, failure or delay in seeking health care, religiously motivated medical neglect, inadequate food, obesity, exposure to environmental hazards, and drug-exposed newborns and older children. Core principles are outlined for case evaluation and the management of cases of neglected health care. Special considerations in assessment and management are outlined for each type of medical neglect previously mentioned. 2 tables and 98 references