Management of child abuse

Abstract

An eminently preventable 'disease', child abuse causes significant morbidity and mortality in individuals who can otherwise expect decades of productivity and a healthy life ahead of them. (2) Children are a particularly vulnerable population that requires particular protection. They deserve a childhood free from abuse, where their basic physical, intellectual, emotional and social needs are met. In this article, we discuss the various types of child abuse, the signs of abuse, and the management of child abuse in Singapore.

Child Maltreatment Experience among Primary School Children: A Large Scale Survey in Selangor State, Malaysia

“…The finding that parental physical maltreatment is the most common form of maltreatment in this study closely parallels the experience in neighbouring Singapore [ 22 ]. The prevalence of parental physical maltreatment (53%), approaches the upper end of the range of physical abuse (from as low as 0.4% for very severe abuse to as high as 66.3% for moderate physical abuse) recorded in convenience sample surveys from other countries in East Asia and the Pacific region [ 23 ].…”

Failure to thrive in babies and toddlers

“…(4) Common reasons for malnutrition include failed breastfeeding, improper formula preparation, inappropriate diet and 'picky eating'. (10) The presence of any red fl ags should alert the family doctor to initiate a referral to a paediatrician: (a) the child's weight is three Z scores below the 50th percentile (11) (for a specifi c age, take the absolute weight difference between the 50th and 95th percentiles and divide by two to obtain the weight difference for one Z score); (b) signs of child abuse, including psychological neglect; (14) …”

Battered baby syndrome

“…8,9 Bruising in an infant or child who is not yet independently mobile also gives suspicion about child abuse. 10 Our second case had multiple bruises and lacerations all over the body, which were present even over relatively protected sites such as the cheeks.…”