Child sexual abuse.
Child sexual abuse is a worldwide concern. It is an insidious, persistent, and serious problem that, depending on the population studied and definition used, affects 2-62% of women and 3-16% of men as victims. Pain and tissue injury from child sexual abuse can completely heal in time, but psychological and medical consequences can persist through adulthood. Associated sexually transmitted diseases (such as HIV) and suicide attempts can be fatal. All physicians who treat children should be aware of the manifestations and consequences of child sexual abuse, and should be familiar with normal and abnormal genital and anal anatomy of children. This aim is best accomplished through training and routine examination of the anus and genitalia of children. Because as many as 96% of children assessed for suspected sexual abuse will have normal genital and anal examinations, a forensic interview by a trained professional must be relied on to document suspicion of abuse.
Ohio State University College of Medicine, Child Abuse Program at Children's Hospital, 700 Children's Drive, Columbus, Ohio 43205, USA. Cjohnson@chi.osu.edu
Charles Felzen
CF
Johnson
D002648:Child; D002650:Child Abuse, Sexual / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D010819:Physician's Role; D012307:Risk Factors