NCJ Number
48961
Date Published
1975
Length
5 pages
Annotation
THE LONG-TERM EFFECTS OF NONACCIDENTAL INJURY, PARTICULARLY TO THE HEAD, IN CHILDREN ARE EXAMINED. LASTING BRAIN INJURY SUFFICIENT TO PRODUCE DEFICITS IN BRAIN FUNCTION OFTEN RESULTS.
Abstract
THIS PAPER EXAMINES CLOSELY THE RESULTS OF MANY STUDIES REGARDING THE LONG-TERM EFFECTS OF CHILD ABUSE. CEREBRAL PALSY, EPILEPSY AND MENTAL DEFICIENCY ARE COMMON CONSEQUENCES OF THESE INJURIES. THE POSSIBLE LATER EFFECTS OF SHAKING A BABY ARE EXPLAINED, AND TWO FOLLOWUP STUDIES ON SHAKEN CHILDREN HAVE INDICATED A HIGH INCIDENCE OF MENTAL RETARDATION. IT IS THEORIZED THAT SUCH UNDETECTED WHIPLASH SHAKINGS COULD BE THE CAUSE OF DAMAGE USUALLY ATTRIBUTED TO PRENATAL INFECTIONS, GENETIC DISEASES, CONGENITAL MALFORMATIONS, AND BIRTH INJURIES. THE CONSEQUENCES OF THE COMMON COMBINATION OF CEREBRAL CONTUSION AND SUBDURAL HEMATOMA RANGE FROM EDUCATIONALLY SUBNORMAL AND MODERATELY INCAPACITATED, TO UNEDUCABLE AND SEVERELY INCAPACITATED, TO DEATH. STATISTICS ARE OFFERED ON DEATHS FROM ABUSE IN GREAT BRITAIN, WEST GERMANY AND THE U.S. PERMANENT BRAIN DAMAGE AND PERMANENT CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM DAMAGE ARE DESCRIBED. STATISTICS ARE PROVIDED REGARDING THE INCIDENCE OF NEUROLOGICAL IMPAIRMENT, SUCH AS CEREBRAL PALSY AND VISUAL DEFECTS, AND EDUCATIONAL DIFFICULTIES RANGING FROM DISTURBED TO SEVERELY RETARDED. SUCH ABUSE ALSO AFFECTS THE CHILD'S PERSONALITY DEVELOPMENT, CAUSING DEPRESSION, EMOTIONAL MALADJUSTMENT, AND ANTISOCIAL BEHAVIOR. SIMILAR GERMAN STUDIES FOUND THESE SAME CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT PATTERNS IN CRIMINALS. IT IS SUGGESTED THAT MOTHERS-TO-BE AT RISK OF INFLICTING NONACCIDENTAL INJURY BE IDENTIFIED IN PRENATAL CLINICS AND FOLLOWED UP TO PROMOTE GOOD BONDING BETWEEN MOTHERS AND THEIR INFANTS.