Pulmonary edema associated with child abuse: case reports and review of the literature

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D M Rubin1, C O McMillan, M A Helfaer

  • 1University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Division of General Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA. rubin@email.chop.edu

Pediatrics
|September 5, 2001
PubMed

Insights

Pulmonary edema is a newly identified indicator in child abuse cases, observed after suffocation and head injuries. This finding is crucial for forensic evaluations of maltreated infants.

Area of Science:

  • Forensic Pathology
  • Pediatric Medicine
  • Toxicology

Background:

  • Pulmonary edema is a critical condition characterized by fluid accumulation in the lungs.
  • Its association with non-accidental trauma in infants has not been previously documented.
  • Understanding diverse injury presentations is vital for accurate diagnosis and intervention.

Observation:

  • Two cases of infants presenting with pulmonary edema following physical abuse are detailed.
  • One case involved confessed suffocation, while the other resulted from inflicted head trauma.
  • These instances highlight a previously unreported clinical finding in child abuse.

Findings:

  • Pulmonary edema can manifest as a consequence of abusive incidents, including suffocation and head injuries.
  • Literature review suggests postobstructive and neurogenic mechanisms may contribute to edema formation in these scenarios.
  • This finding offers a new diagnostic clue in suspected child abuse cases.

Implications:

  • The presence of pulmonary edema warrants thorough investigation for potential child abuse.
  • Forensic evaluations of maltreated children should consider pulmonary edema as a possible indicator of trauma.
  • Recognizing this association can aid in timely intervention and protection of child victims.

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