The Battered-Child Syndrome
Date
1984
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
JAMA
Abstract
The battered-child syndrome, a clinical condition in young children who have received serious physical abuse, is a frequent cause of permanent injury or death. The syndrome should be considered in any child exhibiting evidence of fracture of any bone, subdural hematoma, failure to thrive, soft tissue swellings or skin bruising, in any child who dies suddenly, or where the degree and type of injury is at variance with the history given regarding the occurrence of the trauma. Psychiatric factors are probably of prime importance in the pathogenesis of the disorder, but knowledge of these factors is limited. Physicians have a duty and responsibility to the child to require a full evaluation of the problem and to guarantee that no expected repetition of trauma will be permitted to occur. (Author Abstract)
Description
item.page.type
Article
item.page.format
Keywords
child abuse, physical abuse, symptoms, indicators, intervention
Citation
Kempe, C. H., Silverman, F. N., Steele, B. F., Droegemueller, W., & Silver, H. K. (1984). The battered-child syndrome. Jama, 251(24), 3288-3294.