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Cho N, Koti AS. Identifying inflicted injuries in infants and young children. Semin Pediatr Neurol 2024; 50:101138. [PMID: 38964814 DOI: 10.1016/j.spen.2024.101138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2024] [Revised: 04/04/2024] [Accepted: 05/07/2024] [Indexed: 07/06/2024]
Abstract
Child physical abuse is a common cause of pediatric morbidity and mortality. Up to half of all children presenting with abusive injuries have a history of a prior suspicious injury, suggesting a pattern of repeated physical abuse. Medical providers are responsible for identifying children with suspicious injuries, completing mandated reporting to child protective services for investigation, and screening for occult injuries and underlying medical conditions that can predispose to injuries. Early identification of inflicted injuries appropriate evaluations may serve as an opportunity for life-saving intervention and prevent further escalation of abuse. However, identification of abuse can be challenging. This article will review both physical exam findings and injuries that suggest abuse as well as the evaluation and management of physical abuse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nara Cho
- Division of Child and Family Advocacy, Department of Pediatrics, Nationwide Children's Hospital, 655 E Livingston Ave, Columbus, OH 43205, United States; Department of Pediatrics, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH, United States.
| | - Ajay S Koti
- Safe Child and Adolescent Network, Department of Pediatrics, Seattle Children's Hospital, Seattle, WA, United States; University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, United States
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2
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Hart LC, Viswanathan M, Nicholson WK, Silverstein M, Stevermer J, Harris S, Ali R, Chou R, Doran E, Hudson K, Rains C, Sathe N, Zolotor AJ. Evidence From the USPSTF and New Approaches to Evaluate Interventions to Prevent Child Maltreatment. JAMA Netw Open 2024; 7:e2420591. [PMID: 38976263 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.20591] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Importance The United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) has considered the topic of prevention of child maltreatment multiple times over its nearly 40-year history, each time reaching the conclusion that the evidence is insufficient to recommend for or against interventions aimed at preventing this important health problem with significant negative sequelae before it occurs. In the most recent evidence review, which was conducted from August 2021 to November 2023 and published in March 2024, the USPSTF considered contextual questions on the evidence for bias in reporting and diagnosis of maltreatment in addition to key questions regarding effectiveness of interventions to prevent child maltreatment. Observations A comprehensive literature review found evidence of inaccuracies in risk assessment and racial and ethnic bias in the reporting of child maltreatment and in the evaluation of injuries concerning for maltreatment, such as skull fractures. When children are incorrectly identified as being maltreated, harms, such as unnecessary family separation, may occur. Conversely, when children who are being maltreated are missed, harms, such as ongoing injury to the child, continue. Interventions focusing primarily on preventing child maltreatment did not demonstrate consistent benefit or information was insufficient. Additionally, the interventions may expose children to the risk of harm as a result of these inaccuracies and biases in reporting and evaluation. These inaccuracies and biases also complicate assessment of the evidence for making clinical prevention guidelines. Conclusions and Relevance There are several potential strategies for consideration in future efforts to evaluate interventions aimed at the prevention of child maltreatment while minimizing the risk of exposing children to known biases in reporting and diagnosis. Promising strategies to explore might include a broader array of outcome measures for addressing child well-being, using population-level metrics for child maltreatment, and assessments of policy-level interventions aimed at improving child and family well-being. These future considerations for research in addressing child maltreatment complement the USPSTF's research considerations on this topic. Both can serve as guides to researchers seeking to study the ways in which we can help all children thrive.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura C Hart
- Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio
- The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus
| | - Meera Viswanathan
- RTI International-University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Evidence-Based Practice Center, Chapel Hill
- RTI International, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina
| | - Wanda K Nicholson
- US Preventive Services Task Force, Rockville, Maryland
- George Washington University, Washington, District of Columbia
| | - Michael Silverstein
- US Preventive Services Task Force, Rockville, Maryland
- Hassenfeld Child Health Innovation Institute, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island
| | - James Stevermer
- US Preventive Services Task Force, Rockville, Maryland
- University of Missouri, Columbia
| | - Sheena Harris
- Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, Rockville, Maryland
| | - Rania Ali
- RTI International-University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Evidence-Based Practice Center, Chapel Hill
- RTI International, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina
| | - Roger Chou
- Oregon Health Sciences University, Portland
| | - Emma Doran
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill
| | - Kesha Hudson
- RTI International-University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Evidence-Based Practice Center, Chapel Hill
- RTI International, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina
| | - Caroline Rains
- RTI International-University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Evidence-Based Practice Center, Chapel Hill
- RTI International, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina
| | - Nila Sathe
- RTI International-University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Evidence-Based Practice Center, Chapel Hill
- RTI International, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina
| | - Adam J Zolotor
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill
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Schermerhorn SMV, Muensterer OJ, Ignacio RC. Identification and Evaluation of Non-Accidental Trauma in the Pediatric Population: A Clinical Review. CHILDREN (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2024; 11:413. [PMID: 38671630 PMCID: PMC11049109 DOI: 10.3390/children11040413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2023] [Revised: 03/21/2024] [Accepted: 03/22/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024]
Abstract
Non-accidental trauma (NAT) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality for children around the world and most significantly impacts children under one year of age. Prompt and comprehensive treatment of these children relies on a high index of suspicion from any medical provider that treats pediatric patients. This review discusses those most at risk for experiencing NAT, and common initial presentations, to assist providers in the identification of potential victims. In addition, this review provides guidance on the recommended workup for these patients so that the full extent of associated injuries may be identified and the appropriate healthcare team may be assembled.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Oliver J. Muensterer
- LMU Medical Center, Pediatric Surgery, Dr. von Hauner Children’s Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Lindwurmstrasse 4, 80337 Munich, Germany;
| | - Romeo C. Ignacio
- Department of Surgery, UCSD School of Medicine, 9500 Gilman Dr, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Rady Children’s Hospital San Diego, 3020 Children’s Way, San Diego, CA 92123, USA
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Sadler K, Rajabali F, Zheng A, Jain N, Pike I. Impact of a Parent Education Program Delivered by Nurses and Health Care Providers in Reducing Infant Physical Abuse Hospitalization Rates in British Columbia, Canada. Can J Nurs Res 2024; 56:109-116. [PMID: 38115698 DOI: 10.1177/08445621231222527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Period of PURPLE Crying Program® (PURPLE) is a universal parent education program that is delivered by nurses and health care providers to all parents/caregivers of newborns in British Columbia (B.C.). The aim of the program is to reduce the incidence of Traumatic Head Injury -Child Maltreatment (THI-CM), a form of child physical abuse. OBJECTIVE To determine if the PURPLE program had an impact on the rate of physical abuse hospitalizations for children less than or equal to 24 months of age in B.C. since implementation in 2009. METHODS The analysis measured physical abuse hospitalization rates for the period January 1, 1999 to December 31, 2019 and excluded any cases of confirmed Traumatic Head Injury-Child Maltreatment. Data were divided into pre-implementation period January, 1999 to December, 2008, and post-implementation period January, 2009 to December, 2019. Data were obtained from the Discharge Abstract Database and B.C. THI-CM Surveillance System to capture information on infant child abuse. Poisson regression and ANCOVA was applied to model the change in rates pre and post program implementation. RESULTS Physical abuse hospitalization rates decreased by 30% post-implementation period (95% CI: -14%, 57%, p = 0.1561). The decreasing linear trend in the post-implementation period was significantly different than the increasing linear trend in the pre-implementation period (F1,17 = 4.832, p = 0.042). CONCLUSIONS Nurses' role in engaging parents in conversations about PURPLE messages over multiple timepoints within a structured universal program model resulted in a decrease in physical abuse hospitalization rates since the implementation of PURPLE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen Sadler
- BC Injury Research and Prevention Unit, BC Children's Hospital, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Fahra Rajabali
- BC Injury Research and Prevention Unit, BC Children's Hospital, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Alex Zheng
- BC Injury Research and Prevention Unit, BC Children's Hospital, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Nita Jain
- Child Protection Service Unit, BC Children's Hospital, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Department of Pediatrics, University of British Columbia, BC Children's Hospital, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Ian Pike
- BC Injury Research and Prevention Unit, BC Children's Hospital, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Department of Pediatrics, University of British Columbia, BC Children's Hospital, Vancouver, BC, Canada
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Kemp AM, Maguire SA, Nuttall DE, Collins P, Dunstan FD, Farewell D. Can TEN4 distinguish bruises from abuse, inherited bleeding disorders or accidents? Arch Dis Child 2021; 106:774-779. [PMID: 33602690 PMCID: PMC8311104 DOI: 10.1136/archdischild-2020-320491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2020] [Revised: 11/26/2020] [Accepted: 12/01/2020] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Does TEN4 categorisation of bruises to the torso, ear or neck or any bruise in <4-month-old children differentiate between abuse, accidents or inherited bleeding disorders (IBDs)? DESIGN Prospective comparative longitudinal study. SETTING Community. PATIENTS Children <6 years old. INTERVENTIONS The number and location of bruises compared for 2568 data collections from 328 children in the community, 1301 from 106 children with IBD and 342 abuse cases. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Likelihood ratios (LRs) for the number of bruises within the TEN and non-TEN locations for pre-mobile and mobile children: abuse vs accidental injury, IBD vs accident, abuse vs IBD. RESULTS Any bruise in a pre-mobile child was more likely to be from abuse/IBD than accident. The more bruises a pre-mobile child had, the higher the LR for abuse/IBD vs accident. A single bruise in a TEN location in mobile children was not supportive of abuse/IBD. For mobile children with more than one bruise, including at least one in TEN locations, the LR favouring abuse/IBD increased. Applying TEN4 to collections from abused and accidental group <48 months of age with at least one bruise gave estimated sensitivity of 69% and specificity for abuse of 74%. CONCLUSIONS These data support further child protection investigations of a positive TEN4 screen in any pre-mobile children with a bruise and in mobile children with more than one bruise. TEN4 did not discriminate between IBD and abuse, thus IBD needs to be excluded in these children. Estimated sensitivity and specificity of TEN4 was appreciably lower than previously reported.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alison Mary Kemp
- Division of Population Medicine, Cardiff University School of Medicine, Cardiff, UK
| | - Sabine Ann Maguire
- Division of Population Medicine, Cardiff University School of Medicine, Cardiff, UK
| | - Dianne E Nuttall
- Division of Population Medicine, Cardiff University School of Medicine, Cardiff, UK
| | | | - Frank D Dunstan
- Division of Population Medicine, Cardiff University School of Medicine, Cardiff, UK
| | - Daniel Farewell
- Division of Population Medicine, Cardiff University School of Medicine, Cardiff, UK
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Pierce MC, Kaczor K, Lorenz DJ, Bertocci G, Fingarson AK, Makoroff K, Berger RP, Bennett B, Magana J, Staley S, Ramaiah V, Fortin K, Currie M, Herman BE, Herr S, Hymel KP, Jenny C, Sheehan K, Zuckerbraun N, Hickey S, Meyers G, Leventhal JM. Validation of a Clinical Decision Rule to Predict Abuse in Young Children Based on Bruising Characteristics. JAMA Netw Open 2021; 4:e215832. [PMID: 33852003 PMCID: PMC8047759 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2021.5832] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Bruising caused by physical abuse is the most common antecedent injury to be overlooked or misdiagnosed as nonabusive before an abuse-related fatality or near-fatality in a young child. Bruising occurs from both nonabuse and abuse, but differences identified by a clinical decision rule may allow improved and earlier recognition of the abused child. OBJECTIVE To refine and validate a previously derived bruising clinical decision rule (BCDR), the TEN-4 (bruising to torso, ear, or neck or any bruising on an infant <4.99 months of age), for identifying children at risk of having been physically abused. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS This prospective cross-sectional study was conducted from December 1, 2011, to March 31, 2016, at emergency departments of 5 urban children's hospitals. Children younger than 4 years with bruising were identified through deliberate examination. Statistical analysis was completed in June 2020. EXPOSURES Bruising characteristics in 34 discrete body regions, patterned bruising, cumulative bruise counts, and patient's age. The BCDR was refined and validated based on these variables using binary recursive partitioning analysis. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES Injury from abusive vs nonabusive trauma was determined by the consensus judgment of a multidisciplinary expert panel. RESULTS A total of 21 123 children were consecutively screened for bruising, and 2161 patients (mean [SD] age, 2.1 [1.1] years; 1296 [60%] male; 1785 [83%] White; 1484 [69%] non-Hispanic/Latino) were enrolled. The expert panel achieved consensus on 2123 patients (98%), classifying 410 (19%) as abuse and 1713 (79%) as nonabuse. A classification tree was fit to refine the rule and validated via bootstrap resampling. The resulting BCDR was 95.6% (95% CI, 93.0%-97.3%) sensitive and 87.1% (95% CI, 85.4%-88.6%) specific for distinguishing abuse from nonabusive trauma based on body region bruised (torso, ear, neck, frenulum, angle of jaw, cheeks [fleshy], eyelids, and subconjunctivae), bruising anywhere on an infant 4.99 months and younger, or patterned bruising (TEN-4-FACESp). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE In this study, an affirmative finding for any of the 3 BCDR TEN-4-FACESp components in children younger than 4 years indicated a potential risk for abuse; these results warrant further evaluation. Clinical application of this tool has the potential to improve recognition of abuse in young children with bruising.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary Clyde Pierce
- Division of Emergency Medicine, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
- Department of Pediatrics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Kim Kaczor
- Division of Emergency Medicine, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Douglas J. Lorenz
- Department of Bioinformatics and Biostatistics, School of Public Health and Information Sciences, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky
| | - Gina Bertocci
- Department of Bioengineering, J.B. Speed School of Engineering, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky
| | - Amanda K. Fingarson
- Department of Pediatrics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois
- Division of Child Abuse Pediatrics, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Kathi Makoroff
- Mayerson Center for Safe and Healthy Children, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Rachel P. Berger
- Department of Pediatrics, UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Berkeley Bennett
- Division of Emergency Medicine, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
- Department of Pediatrics, The Ohio State University, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus
| | - Julia Magana
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California San Diego School of Medicine, La Jolla
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of California, Davis Medical Center, Sacramento
| | - Shannon Staley
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
- Division of Pediatric Emergency Medicine, Advocate Children's Hospital, Oak Lawn, Illinois
| | - Veena Ramaiah
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Kristine Fortin
- Department of Pediatrics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois
- Division of Child Abuse Pediatrics, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
- Division of General Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
| | - Melissa Currie
- Norton Children’s Pediatric Protection Specialists Affiliated with the University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, Kentucky
| | - Bruce E. Herman
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City
| | - Sandra Herr
- Division of Pediatric Emergency Medicine, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky
| | - Kent P. Hymel
- Department of Pediatrics, Penn State College of Medicine, Penn State Health Children’s Hospital, Hershey, Pennsylvania
| | - Carole Jenny
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington, Seattle Children’s Hospital, Seattle
| | - Karen Sheehan
- Division of Emergency Medicine, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
- Department of Pediatrics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Noel Zuckerbraun
- Department of Pediatrics, UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Sheila Hickey
- Department of Social Work, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Gabriel Meyers
- Division of Emergency Medicine, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - John M. Leventhal
- Department of Pediatrics, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
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Lyme Disease Misinterpreted as Child Abuse. Case Rep Orthop 2021; 2021:6665935. [PMID: 33628554 PMCID: PMC7880705 DOI: 10.1155/2021/6665935] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2020] [Revised: 01/23/2021] [Accepted: 01/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Child abuse is one of the most common causes for child fatality in the United States. Inaccurate reporting of child abuse combined with scarcity of resources for child abuse evaluations can lead to unintended consequences for children and their families. The differential diagnosis of child abuse is varied. To our knowledge, there are no reports in the literature on Lyme disease mimicking child abuse. The current study presents the case of a child from an endemic area for Lyme disease presenting with skin bruising, fracture, and swollen knee. The child was reported for child abuse by the pediatrician and then referred to the orthopaedic surgeon for fracture care.
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Tiyyagura G, Emerson B, Gaither JR, Bechtel K, Leventhal JM, Becker H, Della Guistina K, Balga T, Mackenzie B, Shum M, Shapiro ED, Auerbach MA, McVaney C, Morrell P, Asnes AG. Child Protection Team Consultation for Injuries Potentially Due to Child Abuse in Community Emergency Departments. Acad Emerg Med 2021; 28:70-81. [PMID: 32931628 DOI: 10.1111/acem.14132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2020] [Revised: 08/20/2020] [Accepted: 09/06/2020] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Emergency care for children is provided predominantly in community emergency departments (CEDs), where abusive injuries frequently go unrecognized. Increasing access to regional child abuse experts may improve detection of abuse in CEDs. In three CEDs, we intervened to increase involvement of a regional hospital child protection team (CPT) for injuries associated with abuse in children < 12 months old. We aimed to increase CPT consultations about these infants from the 3% baseline to an average of 50% over 12 months. METHODS We interviewed CED providers to identify barriers and facilitators to recognizing and reporting abuse. Providers described difficulties differentiating abusive from nonabusive injuries and felt that a second opinion would help. Using a plan-do-study-act approach, beginning in April 2018, we tested, refined, and implemented interventions to increase the frequency of CPT consultation, including leadership and champion engagement, provider training, clinical pathway implementation, and an audit and feedback process. Data were collected for 15 months before and 17 months after initiation of interventions. We used a statistical process control chart to track CPT consultations about children < 1 year old with high-risk injuries, use of skeletal surveys (SSs), and reports to child protective services (CPS). RESULTS Evidence of special cause was identified beginning in June 2018, with a shift of 8 points to one side of the center line. For the subsequent 8-month period, the CPT was consulted for a mean of 47.5% of children with high-risk injuries; this was sustained for an additional 7 months. The average percentage of infants with high-risk injuries who received a SS increased from 6.7% to 18.9% and who were reported to CPS increased from 10.7% to 32.6%. CONCLUSION Targeted interventions in CEDs increased the frequency of CPT consultation, SS use, and reports to CPS for infants with high-risk injuries. Such interventions may improve recognition of physical abuse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gunjan Tiyyagura
- From the Department of Pediatrics Yale University School of Medicine New Haven CTUSA
| | - Beth Emerson
- From the Department of Pediatrics Yale University School of Medicine New Haven CTUSA
| | - Julie R. Gaither
- From the Department of Pediatrics Yale University School of Medicine New Haven CTUSA
| | - Kirsten Bechtel
- From the Department of Pediatrics Yale University School of Medicine New Haven CTUSA
| | - John M. Leventhal
- From the Department of Pediatrics Yale University School of Medicine New Haven CTUSA
| | - Heather Becker
- the Department of Emergency Medicine Bridgeport Hospital Bridgeport CTUSA
| | | | - Thomas Balga
- and the Department of Emergency Medicine Yale New Haven Hospital New Haven CT USA
| | - Bonnie Mackenzie
- and the Department of Emergency Medicine Lawrence and Memorial Hospital Norwich CTUSA
| | - May Shum
- From the Department of Pediatrics Yale University School of Medicine New Haven CTUSA
| | - Eugene D. Shapiro
- From the Department of Pediatrics Yale University School of Medicine New Haven CTUSA
| | - Marc A. Auerbach
- From the Department of Pediatrics Yale University School of Medicine New Haven CTUSA
| | - Caitlin McVaney
- From the Department of Pediatrics Yale University School of Medicine New Haven CTUSA
| | - Patricia Morrell
- and the Department of Surgery Yale New Haven Hospital New Haven CT USA
| | - Andrea G. Asnes
- From the Department of Pediatrics Yale University School of Medicine New Haven CTUSA
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Iqbal O'Meara AM, Sequeira J, Miller Ferguson N. Advances and Future Directions of Diagnosis and Management of Pediatric Abusive Head Trauma: A Review of the Literature. Front Neurol 2020; 11:118. [PMID: 32153494 PMCID: PMC7044347 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2020.00118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2019] [Accepted: 02/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Abusive head trauma (AHT) is broadly defined as injury of the skull and intracranial contents as a result of perpetrator-inflicted force and represents a persistent and significant disease burden in children under the age of 4 years. When compared to age-matched controls with typically single occurrence accidental traumatic brain injury (TBI), mortality after AHT is disproportionately high and likely attributable to key differences between injury phenotypes. This article aims to review the epidemiology of AHT, summarize the current state of AHT diagnosis, treatment, and prevention as well as areas for future directions of study. Despite neuroimaging advances and an evolved understanding of AHT, early identification remains a challenge for contemporary clinicians. As such, the reported incidence of 10–30 per 100,000 infants per year may be a considerable underestimate that has not significantly decreased over the past several decades despite social campaigns for public education such as “Never Shake a Baby.” This may reflect caregivers in crisis for whom education is not sufficient without support and intervention, or dangerous environments in which other family members are at risk in addition to the child. Acute management specific to AHT has not advanced beyond usual supportive care for childhood TBI, and prevention and early recognition remain crucial. Moreover, AHT is frequently excluded from studies of childhood TBI, which limits the precise translation of important brain injury research to this population. Repeated injury, antecedent abuse or neglect, delayed medical attention, and high rates of apnea and seizures on presentation are important variables to be considered. More research, including AHT inclusion in childhood TBI studies with comparisons to age-matched controls, and translational models with clinical fidelity are needed to better elucidate the pathophysiology of AHT and inform both clinical care and the development of targeted therapies. Clinical prediction rules, biomarkers, and imaging modalities hold promise, though these have largely been developed and validated in patients after clinically evident AHT has already occurred. Nevertheless, recognition of warning signs and intervention before irreversible harm occurs remains the current best strategy for medical professionals to protect vulnerable infants and toddlers.
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Affiliation(s)
- A M Iqbal O'Meara
- Department of Pediatrics, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, United States
| | - Jake Sequeira
- Department of Pediatrics, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, United States
| | - Nikki Miller Ferguson
- Department of Pediatrics, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, United States
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Rosenthal B, Skrbin J, Fromkin J, Heineman E, McGinn T, Richichi R, Berger RP. Integration of physical abuse clinical decision support at 2 general emergency departments. J Am Med Inform Assoc 2019; 26:1020-1029. [PMID: 31197358 PMCID: PMC7647214 DOI: 10.1093/jamia/ocz069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2018] [Revised: 03/29/2019] [Accepted: 04/26/2019] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The study sought to develop and evaluate an electronic health record-based child abuse clinical decision support system in 2 general emergency departments. MATERIALS AND METHODS A combination of a child abuse screen, natural language processing, physician orders, and discharge diagnoses were used to identify children <2 years of age with injuries suspicious for physical abuse. Providers received an alert and were referred to a physical abuse order set whenever a child triggered the system. Physician compliance with clinical guidelines was compared before and during the intervention. RESULTS A total of 242 children triggered the system, 86 during the preintervention and 156 during the intervention. The number of children identified with suspicious injuries increased 4-fold during the intervention (P < .001). Compliance was 70% (7 of 10) in the preintervention period vs 50% (22 of 44) in the intervention, a change that was not statistically different (P = .55). Fifty-two percent of providers said that receiving the alert changed their clinical decision making. There was no relationship between compliance and provider or patient demographics. CONCLUSIONS A multifaceted child abuse clinical decision support system resulted in a marked increase in the number of young children identified as having injuries suspicious for physical abuse in 2 general emergency departments. Compliance with published guidelines did not change; we hypothesize that this is related to the increased number of children identified with suspicious, but less serious injuries. These injuries were likely missed preintervention. Tracking compliance with guidelines over time will be important to assess whether compliance increases as physician comfort with evaluation of suspected physical abuse in young children improves.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruce Rosenthal
- Department of Pediatrics, UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Janet Skrbin
- Department of Pediatrics, UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Janet Fromkin
- Department of Pediatrics, UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Emily Heineman
- Department of Pediatrics, UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Tom McGinn
- Department of Medicine, Hofstra Northwell School of Medicine, Manhasset, New York, USA
| | | | - Rachel P Berger
- Department of Pediatrics, UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
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11
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Child Maltreatment Red Flags: Two Cases of Bruising in Premobile Infants. J Pediatr Health Care 2019; 33:92-96. [PMID: 30190186 DOI: 10.1016/j.pedhc.2018.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2018] [Revised: 07/05/2018] [Accepted: 07/11/2018] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Child maltreatment is a serious public health concern in the United States. Young infants and children younger than 3 years are at the highest risk of being abused and can experience both acute injuries and long-term developmental, behavioral, and mental health problems. Health care providers are mandated reporters of suspected abuse but may misdiagnose potentially abusive injuries because of lack of knowledge in recognizing maltreatment. Premobile infants rarely have bruising or intraoral injuries without a reported accident or underlying systemic disease and should raise concern for abuse. It is not uncommon for an abused child to present with an injury that at first glance may seem trivial but is actually suspicious for physical abuse and later be found to have abusive fractures or head trauma. The following case presentations show the importance of recognizing sentinel injuries and red flags for maltreatment in young, premobile infants with unexplained bruises.
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Early Recognition of Physical Abuse: Bridging the Gap between Knowledge and Practice. J Pediatr 2019; 204:16-23. [PMID: 30268403 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpeds.2018.07.081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2018] [Revised: 06/25/2018] [Accepted: 07/25/2018] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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