Do we neglect child neglect?

Child neglect is a condition in which a major need of the child is not met, regardless of the cause or who is responsible for the condition. Multiple interacting factors at the individual (child and parent), familial, community, and societal levels contribute to child neglect. In typical neglect cases, a caretaker, either deliberately or through extraordinary inattentiveness, permits the child to experience avoidable suffering and/or fails to provide one or more of the components generally deemed essential for developing the child's physical, intellectual, and emotional capacities. Neglect varies in type, severity and chronicity. Both actual and potential harm should be weighed by a physician in considering reporting to child protective services. Outcome data on intervention are lacking, therefore proper intervention should be individualized and the results carefully monitored.