Child Abuse Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Child Abuse, including details on family violence, examinations, long-term effects, psychiatrics disorders. | ||||||||
|
Update on child maltreatment.Newton AW, Vandeven AM aDepartment of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Child Protection Program, Childrenʼs Hospital, Child Protection Consultation Program, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA bDepartment of Pediatrics, University of Missouri – Kansas City, CARE Program, Childrenʼs Mercy Hospital, Kansas City, Missouri, USA. PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The authors discuss the significance of studies published over the previous year regarding assessment and treatment and prevention of child maltreatment, including physical and sexual abuse, inflicted traumatic brain injury, and child neglect. RECENT FINDINGS: The evidence base for many forms of child abuse is growing. As clinicians begin to understand the factors which may increase child vulnerability to abuse, more sophisticated and focused prevention efforts are being implemented. In response to a very public reprimand by the General Medical Council of two child abuse pediatricians, which was felt by many to be unwarranted, the UK government re-emphasized its commitment to the protection of children. In the US, this well-publicized set of events has renewed the medical community's commitment to the recognition of child abuse pediatrics as a formal subspecialty. Several authors detail the short-term and long-term outcome of varying forms of abuse for children as they grow into adults, reinforcing the importance of community efforts to prevent abuse and support families during times of heightened stress such as the current war in Iraq. SUMMARY: The short-term and long-term impact of child maltreatment is significant not only for individuals, but for families and communities where abuse is taking place. General pediatricians have an important role to play with families and in the community as advocates for the protection of children. Published 11 March 2008 in Curr Opin Pediatr, 20(2): 205-212.
© 2005-2008 Child Abuse Research Today. All Rights Reserved. |
| ||||||
