Radiologic imaging of inflicted injury in the child abuse syndrome

Pediatr Clin North Am. 1990 Aug;37(4):815-37. doi: 10.1016/s0031-3955(16)36938-3.

Abstract

Injuries associated with child abuse may involve any anatomic focus and organ system. Although many if not most of the injuries associated with physical abuse cannot serve as definitive evidence of maltreatment, awareness of patterns of injuries in abused infants and children initially may serve to identify potential victims of abuse and stimulate more thorough clinical and radiologic investigation. It is essential that less familiar intracranial and abdominal injuries be thoroughly evaluated for possible abuse when circumstances suggest maltreatment, or no plausible explanation is given for radiologic findings.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Abdominal Injuries / diagnostic imaging
  • Child
  • Child Abuse / diagnostic imaging*
  • Craniocerebral Trauma / diagnostic imaging
  • Fractures, Bone / diagnostic imaging
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Musculoskeletal System / injuries
  • Radiography