title: Esophageal perforation preceding fatal closed head injury in a child abuse case.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Child Protection, Otolaryngology, University of Colorado, The Children's Hospital, 1056 E. 19th Ave., Denver, CO 80218, USA.
authors.forename: Laurel A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Pramuk
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sirotnak
authors.forename: Norman R
authors.initials: NR
authors.lastname: Friedman
mesh_terms: 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*