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Updated: Aug 17, 2026
Assessment of Child Anthropometry in a Large Epidemiologic Study
Published on: February 2, 2017
A multicentre and prospective study of suspected cases of child physical abuse
L Martrille1, C Cattaneo, A Dorandeu
1Service de Médecine Légale, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire, Hopital Lapeyronie, Avenue du Doyen Gaston Giraud, 34295 Montpellier, Cedex 5, France. l-martrille@chu-montpellier.fr
Insights
This study highlights that 30% of children suspected of physical abuse in French emergency departments had bone fractures. Effective identification and thorough screening are crucial for child abuse cases.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Forensic Medicine
- Public Health
Background:
- Child physical abuse is a significant concern with varying prevalence rates globally.
- Effective identification and management of suspected child abuse cases are critical for child welfare.
- Limited data exists on the specific characteristics of child abuse populations in French emergency settings.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe the social and clinical characteristics of children presenting with suspected physical abuse in French emergency departments.
- To analyze the types and severity of injuries, including fracture prevalence, in this population.
- To emphasize the importance of standardized screening protocols for child abuse.
Main Methods:
- A multicenter prospective study involving 185 children across five French Emergency Services.
- A common, predetermined protocol for clinical and radiological screening was applied.
- Data collected over a 4-year period was analyzed.
Main Results:
- Socio-cultural factors observed were consistent with previous reports on abused populations.
- 80% of the studied population presented with injuries.
- A high prevalence of bone fractures (30%) was identified.
Conclusions:
- The study provides valuable data on the French child abuse population, particularly regarding injury patterns.
- It underscores the necessity of early and accurate identification of child abuse.
- A thorough and sensitive screening protocol is essential for effective case management.
Abstract:
In this multicentre prospective study, the authors aim to describe the social and clinical characteristics of a population of children who arrived with a suspicion of physical abuse at five Emergency Services across France and who underwent clinical and thorough radiological screening according to a common predetermined protocol. A total of 185 cases of children seen at the Emergency units of five French hospitals over a 4-year period was assessed via a specific protocol and included in this study. The results of this study show socio-cultural factors consistent with previous reports on abused populations, and in particular give interesting data concerning the type and severity of lesions present, on the whole, in 80% of the population studied. In particular this study revealed a high prevalence (30%) of bone fractures. Apart from giving a perspective on the French population, this study adds some information to the too few preexisting studies of its kind-and stresses the importance of effective identification of possible cases of child abuse and of a thorough and sensitive screening protocol.
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