Inaccurate trauma history due to fear of health care personnel involving law enforcement in children of noncitizen immigrants.
Two cases illustrating intentional withholding of information by noncitizen parents of children with major trauma are described. The difficulties and the results of not obtaining an accurate history in the initial assessment of accidental trauma victims are discussed. The core problem in these cases seems to be a fear of health care providers and a false perception that emergency medical services and emergency department personnel are extensions of law enforcement. These cases illustrate potential issues in managing the children of noncitizen immigrants.
Department of Pediatrics, Commonwealth Emergency Physicians, Inova Loudoun Hospital, Leesburg, VA 20176, USA. rwaldrop49@yahoo.com
Ron D
RD
Waldrop
Robert A
RA
Felter
D000058:Accidental Falls; D000063:Accidents, Traffic / Q000523:psychology; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D008192:Deception; D057210:Delayed Diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D054242:Emigrants and Immigrants / Q000523:psychology*; D004641:Emigration and Immigration / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005239:Fear / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D016489:Head Injuries, Closed / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D006407:Hematoma, Epidural, Cranial / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D006470:Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology*; D006630:Hispanic or Latino / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D035846:Law Enforcement; D008297:Male; D008487:Medical History Taking; D009104:Multiple Trauma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology*; D010294:Parietal Bone / Q000293:injuries*; D010384:Pelvic Bones / Q000293:injuries; D011859:Radiography; D012272:Ribs / Q000293:injuries; D012938:Social Perception; D014621:Vagina; D014768:Virginia