[Abused children]

After a description of child abuse and neglect among young children in the literature, the authors focus on the recognition of the problem by professionals. They describe the clinical symptoms which are found among battered and neglected children. When faced with this non specific and polymorphic symptomatology, they provide means to reach the diagnosis. They conclude with a brief description of the behaviour one should adopt when dealing with the children as well as with the legal protection system.