title: An unusual case of child head injury by coat hanger*.
abstract: Traumatic brain injury is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality among children suspected of child abuse. Penetrating cranio-facial injuries are generally rare in the pediatric age group and are caused by both accidental and inflicted mechanisms. We report an unusual case of a 2-year-old female who was admitted to a pediatric emergency room with an industrial stainless steel coat hanger impaled in her skull. Pertinent clinical forensic medicine examination, coupled with home inspection and interviews by the local law enforcement, revealed a horrible episode of domestic violence.
authors.affiliation: Section of Legal Medicine, DIMIMP, University of Bari, Bari, Italy. bisola@tin.it
authors.forename: Biagio
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Solarino
authors.forename: Kathy
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Reckentwald
authors.forename: Amy M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Burrows-Beckham
mesh_terms: D002675:Child, Preschool; D017579:Domestic Violence; D005260:Female; D005547:Foreign Bodies / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology*; D005554:Forensic Medicine; D005624:Frontal Bone / Q000293:injuries / Q000473:pathology; D020197:Head Injuries, Penetrating / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D013193:Stainless Steel
chemical_list: D013193:Stainless Steel