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Child abuse - physical
Battered child syndrome; Physical abuse - children
Physical child abuse is a serious problem. Here are some facts:
- Most children are abused at home or by someone they know. They often love this person, or are afraid of them, so they DO NOT tell anyone.
- Child abuse can happen to a child of any race, religion, or economic status.
Other types of child abuse are:
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Neglect and emotional abuse
Neglect and emotional abuse
Neglect and emotional abuse can cause a child a lot of harm. It is often hard to see or prove this kind of abuse, so other people are less likely to...
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Sexual abuse
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Shaken baby syndrome
Shaken baby syndrome
Shaken baby syndrome is a severe form of child abuse caused by violently shaking an infant or child.
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Causes
PHYSICAL CHILD ABUSE
Physical child abuse is when a person physically hurts a child. The abuse is not an accident. Here are some examples of physical child abuse:
- Hitting and beating a child
- Hitting a child with an object, such as a belt or a stick
- Kicking a child
- Burning a child with hot water, a cigarette, or an iron
- Holding a child under water
- Tying up a child
- Severely shaking a baby
Symptoms
SIGNS OF PHYSICAL ABUSE
Signs of physical abuse in a child include:
- Sudden change in behavior or school performance
- Alertness, watching for something bad to happen
- Acting out behavior
- Leaving home early, going home late, and not wanting to go home
- Fear when approached by adults
Other signs include unexplained injuries or a strange explanation of injuries, such as:
- Black eyes
- Broken bones that cannot be explained. For example, infants who DO NOT crawl or walk usually DO NOT have broken bones.
- Bruise marks shaped like hands, fingers, or objects (such as a belt)
- Bruises that cannot be explained by usual child activities
-
Bulging fontanelle
(soft spot) or
separated sutures
in an infant's skull
Bulging fontanelle
A bulging fontanelle is an outward curving of an infant's soft spot (fontanelle).
Read Article Now Book Mark ArticleSeparated sutures
Separated sutures are abnormally wide spaces in the bony joints of the skull in an infant.
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Burn marks, such as cigarette burns
- Choke marks around the neck
- Circular marks around the wrists or ankles from twisting or being tied up
- Human bite marks
- Lash marks
- Unexplained unconsciousness in an infant
Warning signs that an adult that may be abusing a child:
- Cannot explain or gives strange explanations for a child's injuries
- Talks about the child in a negative way
- Uses harsh discipline
- Was abused as a child
- Alcohol or drug problems
- Emotional problems or mental illness
- High stress
- Does not look after the child's hygiene or care
-
Does not seem to love or have concern for the child
Treatment
HELP AN ABUSED CHILD
Learn about the signs of child abuse. Recognize when a child might be abused. Get early help for abused children.
If you think a child is being abused, contact a health care provider, the police, or child protective services in your city, country or state.
- Call 911 for any child in immediate danger because of abuse or neglect.
- You can also call Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline 1-800-4-A-CHILD (1-800-422-4453). Crisis counselors are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Interpreters are available to help in 170 languages. The counselor on the phone can help you figure out what steps to take next. All calls are anonymous and confidential.
GETTING HELP FOR THE CHILD AND FAMILY
The child may need medical treatment and counseling. Abused children can be seriously hurt. Children may also have emotional problems.
Counseling and support groups are available for children and for abusive parents who want to get help.
Counseling and support groups
The following organizations are good resources for information on child abuse, incest, domestic violence, and family troubles:National Domestic Viole...
There are state and other government departments or agencies that are responsible for the protection of children younger than age 18. Child protection agencies usually make a decision whether the child should go into foster care or can return home. Child protection agencies generally make every effort to reunite families when possible. The system varies from state to state, but usually involves a family court or a court that handles child abuse cases.
References
Berkowitz CD, Stewart ST. Child maltreatment. In: Marx JA, Hockberger RS, Walls RM, et al, eds. Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice . 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2014:chap 66.
Dubowitz H, Lane WG. Abused and neglected children. In: Kliegman RM, Stanton BF, St. Geme JW, Schor NF, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics . 20th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2016:chap 40.
US Department of Health and Human Services Children's Bureau. Child abuse and neglect. Updated December 29, 2016. www.acf.hhs.gov/cb/focus-areas/child-abuse-neglect . Accessed January 9, 2017.
Review Date: 12/9/2016
Reviewed By: Neil K. Kaneshiro, MD, MHA, Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
