One hundred and eighty-seven cases of child abuse and neglect

Area of Science:

• Pediatrics
• Child Protection
• Social Work

Background:

• Child abuse and neglect are significant public health concerns.
• Understanding risk factors is crucial for effective intervention.
• This study reviews cases from a specific hospital's catchment area.

Observation:

• 187 cases of abused and neglected children were analyzed over three years.
• Multiproblem families from lower socioeconomic backgrounds were prevalent.
• Maternal pregnancy and delivery complications were frequently reported.

Findings:

• Eight children died, and 30 were placed under state wardship.
• First-born male infants of young, isolated mothers faced the highest risk.
• Parents were typically married with small families.

Implications:

• Early identification of at-risk families is essential.
• Targeted support for young, isolated mothers may prevent abuse.
• Interdisciplinary approaches are needed to address child maltreatment.