Non-Accidental Injury Flashcards
What is child abuse?
Child abuse – deliberate infliction of harm to a child or failure to prevent harm and may be physical, sexual, emotional or neglect.
What are the risk factors for child abuse?
Domestic violence Parents with substance misuse Parents with mental health problems Young parents Parent who were abused as a child
Describe common presentation that should be investigated for the possibility of non-accidental injury?
Faltering growth
Dental neglect
Abnormal bruising
Stories that do not add up or are inconsistent
Remember the immobile baby should not get long bone fractures
Cigarette burns
Subdural haemorrhages
Multiple fracturs of different ages
Family already known to social services
Posterior rib fractures
Torn frenulum (from forcing bottle in mouth)
Sexually transmitted infections
Failure to seek medical advice or late presentations
How should you investigate a child that you suspect of having received a non-accidental injury
FBC Skeletal survey Fundoscopy to check for retinal haemorrhage Photo documentation CT brain
How should a child who has received non accidental injuries be managed?
Assess the rest of the child’s interests right now – what needs to happen now?
Reporting to authorities if needed
Contact child safeguarding lead
Social services intervention
What are the 3 most important risk factors for child sexual abuse
Sexual Abuse
Risk Factors: Families with domestic abuse, drugs and children with special needs
How does child sexual abuse often present?
- Pregnancy
- Sexually transmitted infections, recurrent UTIs
- Sexually precocious behaviour
- Anal fissure, bruising
- Reflex anal dilatation
- Enuresis and encopresis
- Behavioural problems, self-harm
- Recurrent symptoms e.g. headaches, abdominal pain
What’s the classic triad of shaken baby syndrome?
Retinal hemorrhages
Subdural haemorhage
Encephalopathy
