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What is Munchausen syndrome by proxy?

Munchausen syndrome by proxy (MSBP) features a caretaker covertly abusing a child by faking or causing symptoms in the child victim. MSBP is also called Munchausen by proxy (MBP), factitious disorder by proxy, induced illness, or fabricated illness and is a mental disorder that belongs to the group of mental illnesses called factitious disorders. Like other factitious disorders, it is characterized by a feigning or intentional production of physical or mental-health symptoms for the sole purpose of assuming the sick role. While the reported frequency with which it occurs seems low at one to three in 100,000, it is likely that the actual number of undiscovered MSBP cases is much higher. MSBP tends to affect males as often as females. Affected individuals are usually 4 years old or younger and mothers are the perpetrators 75%-90% of the time. The tendency toward maternal perpetrators may be more a result of women cont...

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