title: Munchausen syndrome by proxy unmasked by nasal signs.
abstract: The protean manifestations of child abuse continue to cause diagnostic difficulty. Recent observations of the high mortality in victims of Munchausen syndrome by proxy, and their siblings, reinforce the need for early diagnosis and appropriate intervention. We report the nasal manifestations which unmasked Munchausen syndrome by proxy in an infant who presented with intestinal and peri-orifical signs masquerading as Crohn's disease. The possibility of Munchausen syndrome by proxy should be considered in an infant with persistent nasal excoriation presenting as part of an undiagnosed illness.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Child Health, University of Birmingham, UK.
authors.forename: A R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Magnay
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Debelle
authors.forename: D W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Proops
authors.forename: I W
authors.initials: IW
authors.lastname: Booth
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001003:Anal Canal / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D016735:Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy / Q000473:pathology* / Q000523:psychology; D009666:Nose / Q000473:pathology*; D012867:Skin / Q000473:pathology