Management of Munchausen syndrome by proxy.

Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy in a Saudi Child

“…Once suspicion is confirmed, the plan of action is similar to that of a child with nonaccidental injury in that the child should be kept under close supervision [8]. Separation from the parents may be necessary if close supervision cannot be ensured.…”

“…Follow-up of children with Munchausen syndrome by proxy indicated the mortality rate to be as high as 22% [6]. Children with MSBP may suffer Munchausen disease as adults [5,8]. Moreover, detection and reporting may be low, which prompted some authors to speculate that many pediatric deaths may have been due to MSBP.…”

“…From the reported literature [1], mothers with multiple Munchausen syndrome by proxy were more likely to be behaviorally or psychologically abnormal than those who have committed MSBP to one child. Most of these mothers had a history of marital problems, psychiatric disturbance, and suicide attempt [1,8,9]. Mothers of children affected by MSBP may be diagnosed as having Munchausen syndrome in up to 20% of cases and those are less likely to respond to aggressive psychotherapy [6,9].…”

A case of Munchausen syndrome by proxy

“…For some mothers, it may bring about a closer relationship with the spouse and for others it may provide a welcome distraction from personal and home difficulties 7 . Some like the sense of importance it gives them 8 .…”

“…Some like the sense of importance it gives them 8 . Most mothers who are referred to psychiatrists return without a definitive diagnostic label 7 .…”