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An update on child abuse and neglect
Rebecca Tenney-Soeiro1, Celeste Wilson
1Department of Pediatrics and Child Protection Program, Children's Hospital Boston, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA. rebecca.tenney@childrens.harvard.edu
Insights
Child abuse and neglect affect over 900,000 children annually. While diagnosis and treatment have advanced, prevention remains critical, requiring ongoing screening and advocacy by pediatric providers.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Child Welfare
- Public Health
Background:
- Nonaccidental trauma and neglect are significant issues impacting children and families.
- Diagnosis and treatment are current mainstays, but prevention is the ultimate goal.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the epidemiology, diagnosis, sequelae, and prevention of child abuse and neglect.
- To highlight the role of pediatric providers in addressing child maltreatment.
Main Methods:
- Literature review focusing on recent statistics and advancements in understanding child abuse.
- In-depth review of abusive head trauma literature.
- Discussion of long-term consequences and prevention strategies.
Main Results:
- Over 900,000 children are victims of child maltreatment annually, with younger children most affected.
- Child abuse manifests in various forms, including skin injuries, skeletal trauma, and head injuries.
- Recent literature emphasizes abusive head trauma, its consequences, and prevention.
Conclusions:
- Significant progress has been made in diagnosing and treating child abuse.
- Prevention of child abuse requires continued vigilance, screening, and advocacy for early intervention programs.
- Pediatric clinicians play a vital role in recognizing signs, screening, and advocating for preventative measures.
Purpose Of Review:
Nonaccidental trauma and neglect continue to be major problems for children, families, and the providers who care for them. Whereas prevention is the key to ending child abuse and neglect, diagnosis and treatment continue to be the mainstays of practice. This article will briefly review the epidemiology, diagnosis, sequelae, and prevention of abuse and neglect in today's world.
Recent Findings:
The latest statistics estimate that more than 900000 children are victims of child maltreatment. Abuse occurs at all ages but is most common in younger children. Child abuse may manifest as skin injuries, skeletal trauma, head injury, or many other forms. Information on abusive head trauma has been published in large amounts in the past year and is reviewed in further depth. The long-term consequences, the keys to prevention, and the role for pediatric providers are also reviewed.
Summary:
Whereas great strides have been made in diagnosing and treating child abuse, our work has been cut out for us in preventing child abuse. Pediatric clinicians must continue to screen patients and families, recognize signs and symptoms of abuse and neglect, and find time to advocate for home visits, early intervention programs, and education on this very important topic.
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