Esophageal perforation preceding fatal closed head injury in a child abuse case.
This is a case describing an extensive esophageal perforation in a 15-day-old infant with an unclear mechanism of injury, who at 3 months of age presented as the victim of child abuse from a fatal closed head injury. Extensive esophageal perforation in a neonate or infant is usually induced by trauma, either accidental or non-accidental. When the given history does not correlate with the degree of injury, child abuse must be strongly suspected and a thorough social investigation must be undertaken.
Pramuk
Laurel A
LA
Department of Pediatrics, Child Protection, Otolaryngology, University of Colorado, The Children's Hospital, 1056 E. 19th Ave., Denver, CO 80218, USA.
Sirotnak
Andrew
A
Friedman
Norman R
NR
D002649:Child Abuse / Q000175:diagnosis*; D004939:Esophageal Perforation / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D016489:Head Injuries, Closed / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D038642:Shaken Baby Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis*