Key Points
- Clinicians must maintain a high level of suspicion for child abuse. While the presentation is often nonspecific, patterned bruising and bruising in very young children is concerning for abusive trauma.
- When children present with bruising, the presence of a bleeding disorder should be considered, and laboratory evaluation may be warranted.
- Skeletal surveys should be obtained in children under the age of two years if there is concern for abuse.
- CT and/or MRI should be obtained if there is concern for intracranial injury.
[/fullbar]
Explore This Issue
ACEP Now: Vol 41 – No 04 – April 2022References
- Pierce MC, Kaczor K, Aldridge S, O’Flynn J, Lorenz DJ. Bruising Characteristics Discriminating Physical Child Abuse From Accidental Trauma. Pediatrics. 2010;125(1):67-74. doi:10.1542/peds.2008-3632
- Anderst JD, Carpenter SL, Abshire TC, et al. Evaluation for Bleeding Disorders in Suspected Child Abuse. Pediatrics. 2013;131(4):e1314-e1322. doi:10.1542/peds.2013-0195
- Section on Radiology; American Academy of Pediatrics. Diagnostic imaging of child abuse. Pediatrics. 2009;123(5):1430-1435. doi:10.1542/peds.2009-0558
Pages: 1 2 | Single Page
No Responses to “How to Evaluate Your Youngest Victims in Child Abuse Cases”