[Injuries from violence in young children--signs, management and diagnostics]

Area of Science:

• Pediatrics
• Forensic Medicine
• Child Health

Context:

• Inflicted injuries in infants and toddlers are often subtle and easily missed.
• Child abuse is the leading cause of severe head injuries in infants under 12 months.
• Recognizing inflicted injuries requires awareness of subtle historical and physical examination clues.

Purpose:

• To highlight the importance of recognizing subtle signs of inflicted injuries in infants and toddlers.
• To emphasize the need for medical evaluation of unexplained or inconsistent injuries.
• To inform clinicians about the common causes and types of abusive head trauma.

Summary:

• Unexplained injuries in children, especially those incompatible with their developmental stage or history, necessitate medical evaluation for suspected physical abuse.
• Abusive head trauma, including shaking and blunt force, is the most frequent cause of serious head injuries in infants.
• A systematic diagnostic approach, including recognizing mimics, is crucial for early detection of child physical abuse.

Impact:

• Early detection of child physical abuse can prevent further harm and ensure timely intervention.
• Healthcare professionals are legally mandated to report suspected abuse to child protective services.
• Increased clinician awareness can improve the identification and management of non-accidental injuries in children.