title: Prolonged Abusive Chest Compressions in an Infant: An Occult Form of Child Abuse: Review of Hemodynamics.
abstract: This is the case of a 4-month-old male infant whose mother sought medical care because of poor feeding and low-grade temperature. The infant had no external evidence of abuse, but chest radiographs showed multiple bilateral rib fractures. There were no retinal hemorrhages. Investigation revealed that the father had repeatedly squeezed the child to unconsciousness. The cardiopulmonary effects of this form of abuse are restriction of respiration and reduced cardiac output. This is an unusual case of occult child abuse.
authors.affiliation: From the *Forensic Pathologist Montgomery; and †Fortis College of Nursing, Montgomery, AL.
authors.forename: James R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Lauridson
authors.forename: Kristy L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Cromblin
mesh_terms: D002303:Cardiac Output, Low / Q000209:etiology; D002649:Child Abuse; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D011859:Radiography; D012131:Respiratory Insufficiency / Q000209:etiology; D012253:Rib Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D013898:Thoracic Injuries / Q000209:etiology*; D014474:Unconsciousness / Q000209:etiology*; D014949:Wounds, Nonpenetrating / Q000150:complications*