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Child abuse - sexual
Alternative Names: Sexual abuse - children Symptoms: Symptoms of child abuse are similar to those seen in clinical depression or severe anxiety and nervousness. They can include: Recurrent headaches (vague complaints) Stomach aches (vague complaints) Bowel disorders, such as soiling oneself (encopresis) Eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa Sleep problems Genital or rectal symptoms, such as pain during a bowel movement or urination, or vaginal itch or discharge Text Continues Below Social symptoms include withdrawl from normal activities, excessive fears or school failure, and disruptive behaviors such as using alcohol and street drugs or engaging in high-risk sexual behaviors. Signs and tests: If there is any suspicion of child sexual abuse, the child should be examined as soon as possible by a trained healthcare professional. An examination should not be delayed for any reason. Many signs of injury are temporary. Ideally, the examination should occur within 72 hours of the event or discovery. Most pediatricians, many family medicine doctors, and most emergency room (ER) physicians have training in examining cases involving sexual abuse and can document findings appropriately. A second examination with an expert abuse examiner should be scheduled thereafter. A physician or nurse specialist can be found through child protective services program anywhere in the U.S. An examination will automatically be scheduled when suspected child sexual abuse is reported to police or child protection agencies (see discussion on reporting abuse below). Page:  1 | 2 | Next >>