Medical Health Encyclopedia

Child abuse - physical

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Child abuse - physical

Definition:

The physical signs of child abuse were originally called "Battered Child Syndrome" -- represented by multiple fractures in different states of healing. The fractures occur at different times in children too young to have received the fractures as a result of an accident.

The definition of child abuse has expanded significantly. In addition to multiple fractures with different ages, what is now called "physical child abuse" or "non-accidental child trauma" also contains numerous other signs of inflicted injury.

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See also:

• Child sexual abuse
• Child psychological abuse and neglect

Alternative Names:
Battered child syndrome; Physical abuse - children

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

Abuse tends to occur at moments of greatest stress, when the perpetrator strikes out in anger at the child. Many perpetrators were themselves abused as children and they often don't realize that abuse is not appropriate discipline. Abusers also frequently have poor impulse control, which prevents them from thinking through the consequences of their actions.

Because adults are so much stronger and bigger than children, the abused child can be severely injured or killed unintentionally. For example, shaking an infant, especially if the head hits something, even against a soft object like a mattress or pillow, can cause bleeding over the brain (subdural hematoma). This can cause permanent brain damage or death. (See shaken baby syndrome.)

Unfortunately, the rate of child abuse is fairly high. The most common form is neglect. Child abuse accounts for at least 1,400 deaths in children each year.

The major risk factors related to adult abusers include poverty, lack of education, single parenthood, and alcoholism or other drug abuse.

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