The medical assessment of bruising in suspected child maltreatment cases: A clinical perspective

Date

2013

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

Paediatric child health

Abstract

Bruises commonly occur in children and are most often the result of a minor accidental injury. However, bruises can also signal an underlying medical illness or an inflicted injury (maltreatment). Although bruising is the most common manifestation of child physical maltreatment, knowing when to be concerned about maltreatment and how to assess bruises in this context can be challenging for clinicians. Based on current literature and published recommendations, this practice point will help clinicians to distinguish between accidental and inflicted bruises, to evaluate and manage bruising in the context of suspected child maltreatment, and to evaluate for an underlying medical predisposition to bruising. (Author Abstract)

Description

Keywords

child abuse, coagulopathy, practice guidelines, International Resources, Canada, Canadian Paediatric Society

Citation

Ward, M. G., Ornstein, A., Niec, A., & Murray, C. L. (2013). The medical assessment of bruising in suspected child maltreatment cases: A clinical perspective. Paediatric child health, 18(8),433-437.

DOI