NCJ Number
227751
Journal
Child Abuse and Neglect Volume: 33 Issue: 6 Dated: June 2009 Pages: 393-401
Date Published
June 2009
Length
9 pages
Annotation
This study examined the outcome of referral to the statutory authorities for infants less than 2 years old with non-accidental head injury (NAHI).
Abstract
Findings show that of 39 infants, 33 survived to leave the hospital. Documentation of risk factors was erratic, and sometimes incongruent between agencies. In New Zealand, data collection is often incomplete and interagency practice and collaboration varies. Although the rate of prosecution was relatively high by international standards, many children were later documented again for further concerns of abuse or neglect, suggesting that interventions were only partially successful. Findings suggest that the initial interventions in Auckland in the period studied may have reduced the risk of further head injury, but subsequent interventions may not have been effective in preventing other forms of abuse or neglect; however, the numbers were too small and the data too incomplete to provide robust evidence. Also found was that the data collected by the key agencies involved in cases of NAHI was inconsistent and often incomplete. Findings also suggest that all infants admitted to the hospital with NAHI should be referred to an inter-agency research study. Data were collected from 39 cases admitted to a hospital in Auckland, New Zealand from 1988 to 1998 using records from the hospital admission, child protective services, and police. Tables and references