Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 7, 2026

A Pediatric Concussion Model in Mice: Closed Head Injury with Long-Term Disorders (CHILD)
07:01

A Pediatric Concussion Model in Mice: Closed Head Injury with Long-Term Disorders (CHILD)

Published on: February 7, 2025

Bruising in children who are assessed for suspected physical abuse

Alison Mary Kemp1, Sabine Ann Maguire, Diane Nuttall

  • 1Early Years Research Programme, Institute of Primary Care and Public Health, College of Biomedical and Life Sciences, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, , Cardiff, UK.

Archives of Disease in Childhood
|September 18, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Bruising patterns and history significantly differ between confirmed physical abuse (PA) and excluded cases in young children. Understanding these differences aids in identifying child abuse more effectively.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Child Protection
  • Forensic Medicine

Background:

  • Suspected physical abuse (PA) in children presents diagnostic challenges.
  • Bruising characteristics are key indicators in evaluating potential child abuse.
  • Distinguishing between accidental and abusive injuries is crucial for child welfare.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To characterize bruising and presentation in children referred for suspected PA.
  • To compare bruising patterns between confirmed PA and excluded cases.
  • To enhance the understanding of bruising associated with physical abuse.

Main Methods:

  • Cross-sectional study of 519 children under 6 years old.
  • Referred to two pediatric child protection teams.
  • Analysis of bruise characteristics (number, location, appearance) and presenting history.

Main Results:

  • Physical abuse (PA) was confirmed in 69% of referred children.
  • Confirmed PA cases showed significantly more bruises and affected sites (p<0.001).
  • Specific bruise locations (buttocks, genitalia, ears, cheeks, neck, trunk, thighs, upper arms) and patterns (petechiae, clusters, distinct patterns) were strongly associated with confirmed PA.

Conclusions:

  • Presenting history and bruising patterns significantly differentiate confirmed PA from excluded cases.
  • Findings offer deeper insights into bruising characteristics indicative of physical abuse.
  • Improved understanding can aid in more accurate diagnosis and intervention for child abuse.
Abstract

Keywords:
BruiseChild Abusephysical abuse

More Related Videos

A Multi-Modal Approach to Assessing Recovery in Youth Athletes Following Concussion10:31

A Multi-Modal Approach to Assessing Recovery in Youth Athletes Following Concussion

Published on: September 25, 2014

Related Concept Videos

Changes in Skin Color: Clinical Perspectives01:14

Changes in Skin Color: Clinical Perspectives

The first thing a clinician sees is the skin, so the examination of the skin should be part of any thorough physical examination. Most skin disorders are relatively benign, but a few, including melanomas, can be fatal if untreated. A couple of the more noticeable disorders, albinism and vitiligo, affect the appearance of the skin and its accessory organs.
Albinism
Albinism is a genetic disorder that affects (completely or partially) the coloring of skin, hair, and eyes. The defect is primarily...
Cardiovascular System Abnormal Findings I: Inspection and Palpation01:29

Cardiovascular System Abnormal Findings I: Inspection and Palpation

In a cardiovascular examination, inspection and palpation are crucial for identifying abnormalities.
Abnormal findings observed during an inspection
Assessment of the Abdomen II: Percussion01:18

Assessment of the Abdomen II: Percussion

Percussion is a fundamental technique used to assess the liver, spleen, and abdominal organs by tapping the abdomen and interpreting the resulting sounds. This method helps identify fluid, distention, and masses through variations in sound, such as the high-pitched tympany of air-filled areas and the dullness of solid masses. Understanding how to percuss these organs provides valuable information for healthcare professionals in diagnosing conditions early.
Percussion
Percussion is an essential...
Physical Assessment of the Respiratory Tract I: Health History01:28

Physical Assessment of the Respiratory Tract I: Health History

Physical assessment of the respiratory tract is critical to patient care. It allows healthcare professionals to identify and manage various respiratory conditions. The process involves a combination of subjective and objective data collection.
Subjective Data
Subjective data provides vital information about the patient's health history and symptoms. This data is typically collected through interviews in which patients describe their experiences, symptoms, and concerns.
Health history and key...
Assessment of Airway, Skin Color, and Use of Accessory Muscles01:30

Assessment of Airway, Skin Color, and Use of Accessory Muscles

A thorough assessment of respiratory health is paramount in clinical settings to identify and manage respiratory distress and ensure adequate oxygenation. This article elaborates on the critical aspects of respiratory evaluation, including airway assessment, skin color examination, and the observation of accessory muscle use, which are integral to effectively diagnosing and managing patients with respiratory conditions.
Introduction
The initial evaluation of a patient's respiratory system...
Bullying02:04

Bullying

A modern form of aggression is bullying. As you learn in your study of child development, socializing and playing with other children is beneficial for children’s psychological development. However, as you may have experienced as a child, not all play behavior has positive outcomes. Some children are aggressive and want to play roughly. Other children are selfish and do not want to share toys. One form of negative social interactions among children that has become a national concern is bullying.