Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 15, 2026

Scanning Skeletal Remains for Bone Mineral Density in Forensic Contexts
Published on: January 29, 2018
[Medical aspects of child abuse]
1Service de Pédiatrie et Centre SOS Enfants-U.L.B., C.H.U. Saint-Pierre, Bruxelles.
Insights
A multidisciplinary approach is essential for managing child abuse. Paediatricians play a key role in documenting injuries and recognizing patterns indicative of nonaccidental injury (NAI).
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Forensic Medicine
- Child Protection
Context:
- Child abuse requires a comprehensive management strategy.
- Paediatricians are central to the initial assessment of suspected abuse.
- Accurate documentation of physical findings is critical.
Purpose:
- To outline the essential role of paediatricians in identifying and documenting injuries in child abuse cases.
- To describe characteristic injury patterns associated with nonaccidental injury (NAI).
- To emphasize the importance of a multidisciplinary approach in child abuse management.
Summary:
- The paediatrician's responsibilities include detailed recording of physical lesions and thorough clinical examination.
- Skeletal X-rays and other investigations can provide crucial evidence for diagnosing abuse.
- Certain types of injuries are strongly indicative of nonaccidental injury.
Impact:
- Improved diagnostic accuracy for child abuse.
- Enhanced collaboration within multidisciplinary teams for child protection.
- Better understanding of injury patterns in nonaccidental injury cases.
Abstract:
For the most adequate management of child abuse a multidisciplinary approach is essential. The paediatrician's role is to collect a complete and careful description of the physical lesions and to conduct a full clinical examination including a precise description of all injuries. Investigations such as skeletal X-rays often provide supportive evidence for the diagnosis. Some lesions are typically associated with nonaccidental injury (NAI). In this paper characteristics of injuries classically observed in child abuse are described.
Related Concept Videos
Bullying
Assessment of Airway, Skin Color, and Use of Accessory Muscles
Introduction
The initial evaluation of a patient's respiratory system...
Conduct Disorder
Assessment of Respiration
Subjective Assessment: Nurses interview the patient to gather information directly during the subjective assessment. It includes questions about the individual's medical history, medications, and symptoms, focusing on past respiratory conditions like asthma or COPD,...
Drug Abuse and Addiction: Pharmacological Phenomena
Data Collection III
The principles to begin the physical assessment include conducting a comprehensive or problem-related history in a quiet, well-lit room, emphasizing privacy and comfort for the patient.

