“…[3][4][5] However, methodologic challenges in child maltreatment research have hampered identification of important risk factors and the development of effective prevention strategies. 6 Several studies have identified the following maternal risk factors for fatal child maltreatment and child homicide 3,5,[7][8][9][10][11][12][13] : young maternal age, 3,5,8,9,12,13 Ͻ12 years of maternal education, 3,5,8,9 late or no prenatal care, 3,5,9,12,13 unmarried parents, 3,8,9,12 black race, 3,5,12,13 and higher parity. 13 Child characteristics that are risk factors include male gender 9,13 and low birth weight.…”