[Children at risk. Our experience]

Seventy children in a situation of risk, evaluated and treated in the Social Work Unit of the Children's Hospital "Virgen del Rocío" over a period of 22 months, were analyzed. Of these children, 89% corresponded to low-middle, low or very low social classes. The most common problems included those of the family (77.1%) with history of maltreatment and unwanted pregnancies being the most prevalent problems. In second place was the personal pathology of the parents (74.2%), with mental disorders and alcoholism being the main causes, followed by drug addiction and delinquency. Social factors (57.1%), which included predominantly unemployment and illiteracy, were the next most common finding. The final factor was the personal pathology of the child (10%). The consequences of the risk situation are described, emphasizing the psychic and treatment carried out. Final comments are made underlining the importance of awareness and professional training, multiprofessional teams, means of detecting and intervention into the problems, manpower and material as well as how to carry out studies in this area.