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Updated: Jan 3, 2026
Assessment of Child Anthropometry in a Large Epidemiologic Study
Published on: February 2, 2017
Identifying Populations at Risk for Child Abuse: A Nationwide Analysis
Hallie J Quiroz1, Joshua Parreco2, Lavanya Easwaran3
1Dewitt Daughtry Family Department of Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, RMSB RM 1010, 1600 NW 10(th) Avenue, Miami, Florida 33136.
Insights
Children previously hospitalized for chronic conditions, particularly psychiatric diagnoses, are at higher risk for child abuse. Identifying these vulnerable children is crucial for prevention efforts.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Public Health
- Child Welfare
Background:
- Child abuse is a significant national health issue.
- Identifying at-risk populations is essential for effective prevention strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify children at risk for child abuse based on previous hospitalizations.
- To analyze the characteristics of children with prior admissions before a child abuse diagnosis.
Main Methods:
- Utilized the Nationwide Readmissions Database (NRD) to identify children hospitalized for abuse.
- Analyzed previous admissions, diagnoses, and demographic data.
- Employed chi-squared (χ2) analysis to determine statistical significance (p < 0.05).
Main Results:
- 11% of children hospitalized for abuse had prior admissions, with 3% having multiple.
- Children with prior chronic conditions were more likely to experience sexual and emotional abuse.
- Psychiatric diagnoses were prevalent among children with prior admissions and associated with increased risk of sexual and emotional abuse.
Conclusions:
- A subset of children with prior hospitalizations for chronic conditions, especially psychiatric issues, are at elevated risk for abuse.
- There is a need for improved identification measures for at-risk children to prevent abuse and trauma.
Purpose:
Child abuse is a national, often hidden, epidemic. The study objective was to determine at-risk populations that have been previously hospitalized prior to their admission for child abuse.
Methods:
The Nationwide Readmissions Database (NRD) was queried for all children hospitalized for abuse. Outcomes were previous admissions and diagnoses. χ2 analysis was used; significance equals p < 0.05.
Results:
31,153 children were hospitalized for abuse (half owing to physical abuse) during the study period. 11% (n = 3487) of these children had previous admissions (one in three to a different hospital), while 3% (n = 1069) had multiple hospitalizations. 60% of prior admissions had chronic conditions, and 12% had traumatic injuries. Children with chronic conditions were more likely to have sexual abuse (89% vs. 57%, p < 0. 001) and emotional abuse (75% vs. 60%, p < 0. 01). 25% of chronic diagnoses were psychiatric, who were also more likely to have sexual and emotional abuse (47% vs. 5.5% and 10% vs. 1%, all p < 0. 001).
Conclusion:
This study uncovers a hidden population of children with past admissions for chronic conditions, especially psychiatric diagnoses that are significantly associated with certain types of abuse. Improved measures to accurately identify at-risk children must be developed to prevent future childhood abuse and trauma.
Level Of Evidence:
Level III.
Type Of Study:
Retrospective comparative study.
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