title: Emergency department evaluation of child abuse.
abstract: Child abuse presents commonly to emergency departments. Emergency providers are confronted with medical, social, and legal dilemmas with each case. A solid understanding of the definitions and risk factors of victims and perpetrators aids in identifying abuse cases. Forensic examination should be performed only after the child is medically stable. Emergency providers are mandatory reporters of a reasonable suspicion of abuse. The role of the emergency provider is to identify abuse, facilitate a thorough investigation, treat medical needs, protect the patient, provide an unbiased medical consultation to law enforcement, and to provide an ethical testimony if called to court.
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85724, USA. aleetch@aemrc.arizona.edu
authors.forename: Aaron N
authors.initials: AN
authors.lastname: Leetch
authors.forename: Dale
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Woolridge
mesh_terms: D002056:Burns / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D002648:Child; D002649:Child Abuse; D002650:Child Abuse, Sexual; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003288:Contusions / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D006259:Craniocerebral Trauma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D010808:Physical Examination; D012307:Risk Factors
keywords: Child abuse; Child maltreatment; Emergency; Nonaccidental trauma; Retinal hemorrhage; Rib fractures; Sexual abuse; Shaken baby syndrome