Bottom Line Recommendations: Physical Child Abuse

• 2023

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• Marc Auerbach; Carmen Coombs; Daniel Lindberg; Julia Magaña; Amy Ornstein; Supriya Sharma

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This document provides a short summary of guidelines for healthcare professionals on identifying and managing suspected physical child abuse. It describes red flags like unexplained injuries, bruises in specific areas, and fractures in young children. The importance of early consultation with specialists is emphasized. Medical staff must report suspected abuse to child protection services if they have reasonable concerns. Communication with families should be empathetic and non-judgmental. Initial evaluations may include neuroimaging, skeletal surveys, and other tests to assess injuries thoroughly while ensuring the child's safety through collaboration with relevant agencies before discharge or transfer to specialized care centers.

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Tags

Focus Areas: Everyday Emergency; Trauma; Violence

Audiences: EMS Clinicians; Nurses; Physicians

Emergency Management Stages: Response; Preparedness (Prevention / Protection)

Keywords: Child Abuse; Diagnosis; Emergency Medicine; Fractures, Bone; Pediatrics; Physical Examination; Risk Factors; Head Injuries, Closed; Mandatory Reporting; Physical Abuse; Pediatric Emergency Medicine

Institutions: Translating Emergency Knowledge for Kids (TREKK); EMSC Innovation and Improvement Center (EIIC)

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The information provided on this website is for educational purposes only. It does not substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

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