Child Abuse and Neglect Flashcards
how many cases of child abuse are reported each year?
3 million
how many kids die every day due to abuse?
5
which types of kids are the most vulnerable to abuse?
-youngest children (70% that die are under 4)
which type of injuries are the most common for child abuse?
- craniofacial, head, face, neck are more than half the cases
- all stuff that you look at on a daily basis
where does child abuse occur?
EVERY socioeconomic level, across ethnic and cultureal lines, within all religions, and all educational levels
kids that were abused are more likely to what?
- teen pregnancy
- sexual risk taking
- substance problem
- psychological disorder
- criminal activity
what are the risk factors for child abuse?
- family violence
- psychological factors in guardian
- substance abuse by guardian
- family distress
- child with special needs
- single parent
what is abuse?
- causes non-accidental physical injury
- uses a child for sexual purposes or involves a child in sexual acts
- harms a child’s mental or social development or causes severe emotional harm
what are the borders of the “triangle of safety”
- ears, side of face, neck, top of shoulders
* injuries in this area are most likely abuse
what are the most common types of injuries in abused children
bruising
*these are also the most common type of injury in NON-abused child so be careful of rushing to conclusions
% of kids with bruising inc with what?
age
so if an infant come in with bruising know that it was probably not bc they fell down the stairs…
where are the NON-INTENTIONAL areas of bruising?
- forehead
- vertex of chin
- elbos
- knees/shins
- bony prominences are by accident
- soft tissue areas are by intent
can a bruise be dated by color?
no, everyone is different, but:
- red/blue/purple are recent
- yellow/brown/green are older
“assessment of the age of a bruise in children is inaccuarte and has no scientific basis
what is the pattern of bruising with a hand?
impact of the hand forces blood into nearby capillaries causing them to rupture
-result is an outline of the fingers/hand
what is the pattern of bruising for inflexible objects
- may produce short linear bruises
- bruising refects impact in one plane and does not follow curvature of body
- may lead to ecchymosis that have no definable pattern
what is the pattern of bruising for flexible objects?
- may cause bruising pattern that follows the curvature of the body
- extention cords, belts, ropes…
what can occur with bite injuries?
- possible central ecchymosis related to either:
- -negative pressure of suction or tongue thrust
- -distruption of blood vessels enclosed within the area of the bite
what are the qulaificaitons of an adult-inflicted bite?
- bites often only distinct in one arch
- avg max intercuspid distance of 33mm
- teeth tend to be rectangular
what are the qualificaitons of a child-inflicted bite?
- distinct in both arches
- intercuspid distance of less than 30mm
- teeth then to be more round
where is the most common area for a biting injury?
upper extremities
which have a higher morbidity, abuse related or accidental burns?
abuse related
most common form of abuse burn
scalding
- more than 80% of abusive scald burns are from tap water
- check for immersion patterns
type of abuse burn that is characterized by the configuaration of the burning object (abusive are more sharply defined than accidental ones)
contact burns
what is the difference btw intentional or accidental cigarette burns?
intentional: sharpy defined 5-10mm diameter circle on exposed areas like hand or neck
accidental: superficial brush burns and layer of ash
why do abusers choose to abuse the head and the neck areas most often?
“communicaiton” part of the child
if a child presents with a frenum tear, what do you do?
any non-ambulatory child with a frenum tear should be evaluated for abuse
concerning the teeth, what are some red flags for abuse?
- missing teeth
- fracutred
- non-vital
- injury to primary teeth is injury to developing permanent
- enamel hypoplasia in the future
- injury of PDL or pulp
caregiver does not give the care, supervision, affection, or support needed for a child’s health, safety, and well-being
dental neglect
as far as dental neglect goes, what does the law mandate that you do?
- YOU ARE THE MANDATED REPORTER
- requires that you make a report to child protective services or law enforcement if you suspect abuse or neglect (you could lose your liscense)
- do not have to provide proof or conduct a full investigation
- you cannot be help civially or criminally liable
- if you fail to report, however, it is a misdemenor criminal offense
when making a report, what do you need?
- name and address of victim
- name and address of gaurdian
- name and address of person you suspect to be the abuser
- the reason you suspect for the neglect
- any other info
