Work

The influence of the inpatient unit on referral for relevant examinations in child abuse

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Physical abuse affects 4-20 % of children per year. There is a lack of knowledge and skills about child abuse among doctors, which can lead to a failure to report the child abuse situation to the authorities. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of the inpatient unit on whether imaging examinations and social assessments are performed. METHOD: A retrospective cohort study was carried out of children under 3 years old suspected of suffering child abuse. Demographic, clinical, and examination data were collected. In univariate analysis, we evaluated the relationship between the experience of the inpatient unit and the realization or not of imaging examinations and social assessments. RESULTS: Inpatient units not experienced in the management of child abuse situations were associated with a significantly increased risk of not performing cerebral magnetic resonance imaging (OR: 10.0; 95 % CI [3.8-26.3]), skeletal survey (OR: 19.0; 95 %CI [6.0-60.6]), bone scintigraphy (OR: 24.6; 95 % CI [8.5-70.8]), and fundus (OR: 13.6; 95 % CI [5.1-35.8]) examinations. CONCLUSION: It is essential to improve medical and paramedical knowledge as well as skills in the recognition and management of suspected child abuse.

Source: Archives de Pédiatrie

DOI: 10.1016/j.arcped.2025.02.003

Authors: Florian Manoeuvrier, Pierre Tourneux, Anne-Gaelle Le Moing, Richard Gouron, Cécile Manaouil, Céline Klein

Institutions: Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Amiens-Picardie, Périnatalité & Risques Toxiques, Université de Picardie Jules Verne

Language: English

Topic: Child Abuse and Related Trauma

Subfield: Pediatrics, Perinatology and Child Health

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $2,610