A clinician suspects it first when the injuries are not consistent with what the parent or child says
15 Dec, 2022
Children are often not able to report abuse due to existing stigma and lack of awareness. Sometimes they don’t know whom to reach out to for help.
Source: ThehealthsiteChildhood physical abuse is far more widespread than is reported. Fathers, mothers and other caretakers are very often the perpetrators.
Source: ThehealthsiteA paediatrician in many cases is first in the line to notice that something might not be right with the child. Suspicion might first be raised in a routine checkup.
Source: ThehealthsiteInjuries caused by physical abuse to a child can range from mild skin bruises to serious head and abdominal trauma.
Source: ThehealthsitePhysicians often see a pattern in these injuries inflicted upon the child. They find it to be repetitive and getting worse with time.
Source: ThehealthsiteThe caretaker might not be able to explain the cause of the injury and even if they do, the narration might not match the symptoms
Source: ThehealthsiteThe caretaker might say things like the injury might have gone unnoticed or they didn’t see. The clinician however might spot an injury that is too acute to be missed.
Source: ThehealthsiteThe parent might not be expressing empathy towards the child’s condition or the strained connection becomes very obvious.
Source: ThehealthsiteCaretakers might say things like their child is always clumsy or cannot climb properly on stairs or has frequent falls.
Source: ThehealthsiteThere might be a significant time gap between the time child got injured and the time they were presented to the doctor.
Source: ThehealthsiteThe child might show contact burns on the skin or bruises that follow a pattern or unexplained fractures
Source: ThehealthsiteSometimes when a baby might have been shaken, the caretaker would say that they accidentally dropped the child, and it stopped breathing and turned blue.
Source: ThehealthsiteThanks For Reading!