Malingering by proxy: a form of pediatric condition falsification.
The deliberate production or feigning of signs or symptoms in a child by a caretaker is well recognized as factitious disorder by proxy, a psychiatric condition commonly reported in the pediatric literature. However, it is not as well recognized that the false illness portrayal may also be the result of a parent instructing the child to malinger. A case report of a 13-year-old patient who feigned an immobile upper extremity for the purpose of obtaining a legal settlement is presented. Physicians are encouraged to make protecting the child from parental or iatrogenic harm a priority. Recommendations for careful confrontation and expedient resolution are made.
Stutts
John T
JT
Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY 40202, USA.
Hickey
Scott E
SE
Kasdan
Morton L
ML
D000059:Accidents / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D000293:Adolescent; D002573:Cervical Rib Syndrome / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008306:Malingering; D019727:Proxy