Child Abuse (cont.)Medical Author:
John Mersch, MD, FAAP
John Mersch, MD, FAAPDr. Mersch received his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of California, San Diego, and prior to entering the University Of Southern California School Of Medicine, was a graduate student (attaining PhD candidate status) in Experimental Pathology at USC. He attended internship and residency at Children's Hospital Los Angeles. Medical Editor:
William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR
William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACRDr. Shiel received a Bachelor of Science degree with honors from the University of Notre Dame. There he was involved in research in radiation biology and received the Huisking Scholarship. After graduating from St. Louis University School of Medicine, he completed his Internal Medicine residency and Rheumatology fellowship at the University of California, Irvine. He is board-certified in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology. In this Article
What is sexual child abuse?Sexual abuse is the third most frequently reported form of child mistreatment (10% of all cases). Experts believe that sexual abuse may be the most underreported type of abuse because of the secrecy or "conspiracy of silence" that so often characterizes these cases. A generally accepted definition of sexual abuse is that of a child involved in sexual activity for which consent cannot be given, is outside of the victim's developmental age, is unable to comprehend, and/or "violates the law or social taboos of society." Examples include fondling and any form of genital, anal, or oral-genital contact with a child that are unwarranted. These acts may occur whether the child is clothed or unclothed. Non-touching child sexual abuse would include exhibitionism, voyeurism, and the involvement of a child in prostitution or pornography. What causes child abuse deaths?The most lethal form of child abuse is neglect. Deaths from neglect can, for example, be caused by accidents due to lack of supervision or abandonment or from the failure to seek medical attention for an injury, illness, or condition. Fatal injuries from mistreatment can and do result from many different acts. Children may die from severe head trauma (injury), shaken baby syndrome, trauma to the abdomen or chest, scalding, burns, drowning, suffocation, poisoning, starvation, etc. What factors predispose a person to child abuse?Specialists evaluating an abused child's environment and family background have noted several risk factors for potential abuse:
Specific "trigger" events that occur just before many fatal parental assaults on infants and young children include an infant's inconsolable crying, feeding difficulties, a toddler's failed toilet training, and exaggerated parental perceptions of acts of "disobedience" by the child. Patient CommentsViewers share their comments
Child Abuse - Experience
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Child Abuse - Treatment and Reporting
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Child Abuse - Prevention
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