Impending child abuse. Psychosomatic symptoms in adults as a clue

Adult patients involved in or threatened by the possibility of committing child abuse may develop acute functional symptoms that result in their seeking emergency medical help. Three cases are presented as examples of this relationship. In two, the functional symptom was paralysis or paresis. In the third, symptoms were more diffuse. Recognition of the association between functional symptoms and child abuse may permit intervention before serious child injury occurs.