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Child abuse: discovering the horrifying truth

Lee Blair1, Eric Clauss, Mark Meredith

  • 1Monroe Carrel Jr. Children's Hospital, USA. eric.clauss@vanderbilt.edu

JEMS : a Journal of Emergency Medical Services
|October 12, 2011
PubMed

Insights

This case report highlights a 2-month-old infant presenting with lethargy and poor feeding, ultimately diagnosed with severe child maltreatment. The findings underscore the importance of recognizing signs of abuse in infants.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Emergency Medicine
  • Child Abuse

Background:

  • Infants presenting with non-specific symptoms like lethargy and poor feeding can be challenging to diagnose.
  • Child maltreatment is a significant public health issue with severe consequences for affected children.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To present a case of severe child maltreatment in a 2-month-old infant.
  • To emphasize the importance of a thorough physical examination and prompt recognition of abuse indicators.

Main Methods:

  • Emergency Medical Services (EMS) responded to a call for a lethargic infant.
  • Physical examination revealed multiple bruises in various stages of healing, and diagnostic imaging identified rib fractures.
  • The case was investigated, leading to the mother's admission of child abuse.

Main Results:

  • The infant exhibited signs of severe physical abuse, including bruising and multiple rib fractures.
  • The child required intubation due to apnea in the emergency department.
  • The mother confessed to abusing the infant.

Conclusions:

  • This case illustrates a severe presentation of child maltreatment requiring urgent medical intervention.
  • Healthcare providers must maintain a high index of suspicion for abuse in infants with concerning symptoms and physical findings.

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