Child Abuse

Naminder Sandhu& Dr. Bela Sztukowski

September 1, 2011

Video: Infant beat to

death

by father

BATTLEFORD — A 25-year-old

Lloydminster man who “sn

apped” while

changing his infant so

n’s diaper, fa

tally

injuring the child, has received a priso

n

sentence of 5 1/2 years for

manslaughter.

APRIL 26, 2011

Toddler dies in hospital;

police to charge

Medicine Hat day home

worker

BY CALGARY HERALD, GLOBAL TV CALGARY

JULY 22, 2010

NEWS CANADABaby girl savagely beaten by woman before rescue CHRIS KITCHING, SUN MEDIA

FIRST POSTED: WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2,

2009

Emotional abuse 19%

Physical abuse31%

Sexual abuse10%

Neglect40%

Objectives

• Identify suspicious injury patterns – Consider ddx and mimics

• Review appropriate investigations• Explore management options• Know your medical and legal responsibilities

Epidemiology

Canadian Incidence Study of Reported Child abuse and Neglect, 1998

•22 investigations/1000 children (2.2%) •45% of cases confirmed by child welfare workers (9.9 cases/1000)

Who’s at risk?

Socioeconomic stressors

Parent stressors

Triggering situations

Child stressors

What and how to ask: the history

Think twice if….

1) Sounds crazy but explains injury2) Sounds reasonable but doesn’t explain injury• 30 degrees out and “she ran bare feet

onto the hot pavement”… but arches of feet also burned!

Consider child’s development!

“Those who can’t cruise don’t bruise”

Spectrum of Child Abuse

General assessment• Behavioural indicators– Age appropriate? Regression?– Emotional attachments– School– Drugs – Mood, sleep– Trouble with law

• Physical indicators– Hygeine – Growth– Injuries

Case 1: 3 month old colicky, irritable

Abusive head trauma

Which is not in ddx for SDH?

• Accidental short fall• Birth trauma • MVC• Minor or no trauma with F13 deficiency• Minor trauma with Marfan• Abusive head trauma• Other: Vit K defic, hemophilia A, vWD, platelet

function disorders, platelet number disorders, metabolic disorders (glutaric aciduria type 1)

Retinal hemorrhages

85% cases

MultilayeredExtensiveBilateral

Case 2

• 2 year old developmentally delayed tripped on rug and fell onto left side; cried right away, been grabbing ear since

What bruises are suspicious?

Accidental = peripheral Non-accidental = central

Bite marks

Slap marks

Hemophilia

Cord injuryErythema nodosum

Vasculitis:Henoch-Schonlein Purpura

Coining

Cupping

Case 3Mom was running bath – 2.5 year old girl stepped into it when mom left to grab the phone

Burns

Staph scalded skin syndrome

Burn patternsAccidental

Non-accidental

Burn from diarrhea

Healing impetigo

Cigarette burns

Cigarette burns

Curling iron

Case 4

• 12 month old girl on shoulders of dad going down stairs when she lost balance and fell to the side and now not moving arm, swollen

Long bone fractures

CB

AD

Metaphyseal “Corner chip” fractures

“Bucket handle” fracture

Rib fractures

Fractures from abuse• Non ambulatory child with fracture• Fracture from fall from bed/crib/couch• Strongly suggestive of:– Ribs– Long bone metaphyses– Scapula– Sternum– Vertebral spinous processes

• Moderately suggestive:– Multiple fractures– Fractures of different ages– Epiphyseal separation– Vertebral body fractures

Other signs of abuse

• Traction alopecia• Growth parameters• Extensive dental caries • Severe diaper dermatitis• Neglected wound care

Torn frenulum

Other injuriesVisceral abdominal•predominantly in children > 2 years old•2nd most common cause fatalities •usually blunt trauma (punch or kick to abdomen, rapid deceleration after being thrown)

Investigations

• American Academy of Pediatrics/ Canadian Pediatric society guidelines– Skeletal survey: < 2yo

• Consider repeat in 10 – 14 days

– Head CT– Ophthalmology consult– CBC, coags

– Bone scan?– Bone mineralization labs? Metabolic work up?

Social work always available in the ED

If concerned….. Call:•Child & Family Services: 297-2995•Child abuse service: Dr. Neil Cooper•Sexual abuse clinic: Dr. Jen MacPherson (outpatient referrals)

What to do at the ACH

To admit or not to admit?

• Medical need• Inability to guarantee safety

Document document document

HPI:Mother states “… was washing the dishes when I heard a thud and I ran to the living room and saw her on the floor”…. “she had rolled off the couch”….

P/E:

It is an offence to fail to report suspected maltreatment

Take home points• Child abuse is not always

obvious know what to ask and what to look for

• Always keep in mind mimickers

• Document carefully and objectively

• If any suspicion, report and investigate, and consider admission

THE END