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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 3, 2026

An Experimental Analysis of Children's Ability to Provide a False Report about a Crime

An Experimental Analysis of Children's Ability to Provide a False Report about a Crime

Published on: May 3, 2016

Factitious disorder by proxy: pediatric condition falsification.

Richard J Shaw¹, Shaili Dayal, James Kirk Hartman

¹Division of Child Psychiatry, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA 94305-5719, USA. rjshaw@stanford.edu

Harvard Review of Psychiatry

|July 29, 2008

Summary

Factitious disorder by proxy, or Munchausen syndrome by proxy, is a complex condition involving fabricated illness in a child by a caregiver. This review covers its definitions, causes, diagnosis, and multidisciplinary treatment approaches.

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Area of Science:

Medical Psychology
Child Abuse and Neglect
Forensic Psychiatry

Background:

Factitious disorder by proxy (FDP), also known as Munchausen syndrome by proxy, is a form of child abuse where a caregiver fabricates or induces illness in a child.
Understanding the etiology and epidemiology of FDP is crucial for early identification and intervention.
This disorder presents significant diagnostic and management challenges for healthcare professionals.

Purpose of the Study:

To provide a comprehensive overview of factitious disorder by proxy.
To elucidate the definitions, etiology, epidemiology, assessment, and diagnostic methods for FDP.
To discuss the complex clinical, legal, and treatment considerations for FDP.

Main Methods:

Literature review and synthesis of existing research on factitious disorder by proxy.
Analysis of clinical assessment and diagnostic criteria.
Discussion of legal ramifications and multidisciplinary treatment strategies.

Main Results:

FDP is characterized by caregiver-induced or fabricated illness in a child, often involving extensive medical procedures and hospitalizations.
Accurate diagnosis requires careful assessment to differentiate from genuine illness and other forms of abuse.
Effective management necessitates a multidisciplinary team approach addressing the perpetrator, victim, and family dynamics.

Conclusions:

Factitious disorder by proxy is a severe form of abuse requiring specialized intervention.
Confronting the perpetrator, addressing legal issues, and implementing a team-based treatment plan are essential for the child's and family's well-being.
A coordinated, multidisciplinary approach is paramount for successful treatment outcomes in FDP cases.