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SHR Neuro Cancer Cardio Lipid Metab Microb
Landgraf, M; Zahner, L; Nickel, P; Till, H; Keller, A; Geyer, C; Schwanitz, N; Gausche, R; Schmutzer, G; Brahler, E; Kiess, W; .
Child abuse. Social demographics, patterns, and medical interventions - a retrospective analysis of 59 cases.
MONATSSCHR KINDERHEILK. 2010; 158(2): 149-156.
Doi: 10.1007/s00112-009-2129-0
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- Till Holger
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- Abstract:
- Child abuse leads to acute and long-term physical and emotional harm to children and adolescents. Medical personnel have a special challenge and responsibility regarding early recognition, protection of the child, and support for the whole family. The aims of this study were to analyse the frequency and types of child abuse as well as the social backgrounds of the affected families and to evaluate the clinical management of the children treated at the Children's Centre at the University of Leipzig. Data were analysed for all 59 patients admitted to the Children's Centre at the University of Leipzig with a confirmed diagnosis of child abuse between January 2001 and June 2007. For the retrospective analysis, a data collection questionnaire with 91 items was developed, containing the main categories of sociodemographics, medical findings, and clinical case management. The data were evaluated using descriptive statistics (Excel and SPSS). The treated inpatients included 36 cases of physical child abuse, 11 of neglect, six of sexual abuse, five of combined physical abuse and neglect, and one of Munchhausen-by-proxy syndrome. The gender distribution was almost equal, but the age varied significantly (2.5 weeks to 15 10/12 years). Seventeen percent of the abused children showed symptoms of a developmental disorder. In 54 of the 59 cases, no routine medical checkups were documented. Seventeen percent of the parents had alcohol and drug problems, and 53% of the mothers and 10% of the fathers were single parents. Seven percent of the fathers and mothers and 5% of the siblings of the abused children were chronically ill. In the 59 children and adolescents, 108 consultations were performed at the Children's Centre. In only 20% was an interdisciplinary case conference documented. Child abuse is a problem of society and health care policy. The study at Leipzig showed that parental drug abuse, chronic disease in the family, and single parentage are social risk factors for child abuse. As a risk factor on the child's side, developmental disorders were identified. Within the distribution of the types of child abuse, child neglect is certainly underrepresented. Data acquisition and documentation concerning the social history, the psychological conspicuity of children and their parents, and the concerted assessments of the professionals involved in patient care must be strongly improved.
- Find related publications in this database (Keywords)
- Child maltreatment
- Child abuse
- Sexual abuse
- Neglect
- Munchhausen-by-proxy syndrome