[Münchausen syndrome by proxy. A case report]

Area of Science:

• Plastic Surgery
• Psychiatry
• Child Abuse

Background:

• Factitious disorders are uncommon in plastic surgery settings.
• Münchausen by proxy syndrome is a specific type of factitious disorder involving abuse.
• Early recognition is crucial for intervention.

Observation:

• A clinical case of an eight-year-old girl is presented.
• The patient was a victim of severe parental abuse.
• This abuse was linked to Münchausen by proxy syndrome.

Findings:

• The case illustrates the rare presentation of Münchausen by proxy in plastic surgery.
• Parental abuse can manifest through fabricated medical conditions.
• The syndrome poses diagnostic challenges.

Implications:

• Plastic surgeons must be vigilant for signs of factitious disorders and abuse.
• Multidisciplinary collaboration is essential for managing such complex cases.
• Raising awareness can improve patient safety and outcomes.