title: Munchausen syndrome by proxy: a review.
abstract: Munchausen syndrome by proxy is a form of child abuse in which a parent or caretaker simulates or produces illness in a child. Case reports of Munchausen syndrome by proxy document a wide and confusing spectrum of symptoms. The children who are the victims of this syndrome suffer morbidity linked to numerous unnecessary hospital admissions and diagnostic procedures, severe psychological morbidity, and a significant risk of mortality. Because of these extreme consequences, all health-care professionals must be able to recognize its warning signals.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030.
authors.forename: R E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Sofinowski
authors.forename: P M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Butler
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D002985:Clinical Protocols / Q000592:standards; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D009017:Morbidity; D009026:Mortality; D016735:Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy