Child Protection in Context of COVID-19 Pandemic: Practice Guidelines for Pediatricians
Date
2021
Journal Title
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Volume Title
Publisher
Asia Pacific Journal of Paediatric Child Health
Abstract
Background: Pediatricians are likely to encounter children who have suffered instances of abuse and neglect on account of societal
changes due to the COVID-19pandemic. There is an urgent need to up skill paediatricians on recognising and responding to cases of
child abuse and neglect (CAN) in the Indian context. In this document, the term “abuse” refers to physical, emotional, sexual abuse
and neglect and a child refers to an individual below the age of 18years.
Aims: To assist and provide resources to pediatricians and allied medical professionals to help recognize and respond to suspected
cases of CAN during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Methods: The executive board of the Indian Child Abuse Neglect and Child Labour (ICANCL) group of Indian Academy of
Pediatrics (IAP) approved a series of meetings with a working group of multidisciplinary medical professionals to address the impact
of the pandemic on children. The group framed guidelines after extensive testing in clinical setups, discussions, and iterations.
Results: COVID-19 specific guidelines on recognition and response to CAN were formatted into flowcharts for ease in
comprehension and execution.
Conclusions: The pandemic has dramatically increased the potential for violence, abuse and neglect in vulnerable children‟s lives in
India. The pandemic also has impacted the lives of parents, many of whom have lost livelihoods or been challenged by physical and
mental health issues that adversely affect the lives of their children at home. Screening and assessment of CAN by paediatricians is
therefore essential in prevention and early intervention to protect children's safety
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Keywords
paediatricians, International Resources, India, child abuse, pandemic
Citation
Seth, R., Galagali, P., Greenbaum, J., Chandrashekhar, R., Khadse, S., Nayak, U., & Seshadri, S. (2021). Child Protection in Context of COVID-19 Pandemic: Practice Guidelines for Pediatricians.