The Eye Examination in the Evaluation of Child Abuse

dc.contributor.authorChristian, C. W., Levin, A. V., & Council on child abuse and neglect, section on ophthalmology, American Association of Certified Orthoptists, American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus, American Academy of Ophthalmology
dc.date.accessioned2018-08-06T16:56:21Z
dc.date.available2018-08-06T16:56:21Z
dc.date.issued2018
dc.description.abstractChild abuse can cause injury to any part of the eye. The most common manifestations are retinal hemorrhages (RHs) in infants and young children with abusive head trauma (AHT). Although RHs are an important indicator of possible AHT, they are also found in other conditions. Distinguishing the number, type, location, and pattern of RHs is important in evaluating a differential diagnosis. Eye trauma can be seen in cases of physical abuse or AHT and may prompt referral for ophthalmologic assessment. Physicians have a responsibility to consider abuse in the differential diagnosis of pediatric eye trauma. Identification and documentation of inflicted ocular trauma requires a thorough examination by an ophthalmologist, including indirect ophthalmoscopy, most optimally through a dilated pupil, especially for the evaluation of possible RHs. An eye examination is helpful in detecting abnormalities that can help identify a medical or traumatic etiology for previously well young children who experience unexpected and unexplained mental status changes with no obvious cause, children with head trauma that results in significant intracranial hemorrhage and brain injury, and children with unexplained death.en_US
dc.identifier.citationChristian, C. W., Levin, A. V., & Council on child abuse and neglect, section on ophthalmology, American Association of Certified Orthoptists, American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus, American Academy of Ophthalmology (2018). The Eye Examination in the Evaluation of Child Abuse. Pediatrics, 142(2).en_US
dc.identifier.urihttp://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/early/2018/07/19/peds.2018-1411
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/11212/3894
dc.language.isoen_USen_US
dc.publisherPediatricsen_US
dc.subjectchild abuseen_US
dc.subjecteye examinationen_US
dc.subjectassessmenten_US
dc.subjectphysiciansen_US
dc.titleThe Eye Examination in the Evaluation of Child Abuseen_US
dc.typeArticleen_US

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