The battered child syndrome.
This is a report of socio-medical aspects of 23 episodes of physical abuse among 21 children, and findings include one death, a predominant age below two years, no unusual race or sex distribution, a high incidence of head trauma, skin lesions and bone changes, with a common history of previous abuse in the patient and siblings. Intact families had few children in the house. Parents were usually young, had a high incidence of illegitimate births, mental disease and previous criminal records. Abuse was often inflicted by a close relative, usually the mother. Incidence and severity of physical abuse in California and participation in therapy are discussed.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D002140:California; D002649:Child Abuse; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005191:Family Characteristics; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male