Factitious illness by proxy. Munchausen syndrome by proxy.
BACKGROUND
Since 1977 a literature has grown describing examples of factitious illness by proxy (FIP).


METHODS
The literature in English was searched using MEDLINE and supplemented by a manual search. Extracted data focused on terminology of a spectrum of behaviours, clinical features and psychopathology of perpetrators.


RESULTS
There has been difficulty with the use of terminology and classification of psychiatric disorders.


CONCLUSIONS
The spectrum of FIP is wide. Suggestions are made for the use of terminology and classification when FIP is identified.
Bools
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Department of Child and Family Psychiatry, Royal United Hospital, Bath.
D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009034:Mother-Child Relations; D016735:Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D010348:Patient Care Team; D011599:Psychopathology