title: [Recognizing clinical signs suggesting child abuse in young children].
abstract: It is difficult to diagnose child abuse. Any injury to a child should raise the essential question as to its plausibility. Any incompatibility between the nature of the lesion and the child's age, or the explanations given, should suggest intentional injury. The presence of a bruise on an infant too young to move about is a serious warning sign. Any fractures before the infant is able to walk should raise the suspicion of intentional injury. Regardless of the type of abuse noted for an infant, it must be hospitalized. Supplementary examinations, in association with a psychosocial evaluation, will enable exploration for other lesions and the elimination of differential diagnoses. This allows the child to be protected, while including the family in the treatment process.
authors.affiliation: Unité d'accueil des enfants en danger, clinique médicale pédiatrique, HME-CHU, 44093 Nantes Cedex 1. Nathalie.vabres@chu-nantes.fr
authors.forename: Nathalie
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Vabres
authors.forename: Juliette
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Fleury
authors.forename: Georges
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Picherot
mesh_terms: D002649:Child Abuse / Q000175:diagnosis*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn