Ugeskrift for laeger
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Ugeskrift for laeger · Apr 1989
[Child abuse and the lack of care. 1. An epidemiologic study from the Danish forensic officers, Institute of Forensic Medicine and the Medico-legal Council during 1970-1979].
The object of this investigation was to undertake an epidemiological study of the cases of child abuse and neglect, which resulted in contact with a forensic officer, an Institute of Forensic Medicine or the Medico-Legal Council during the period of 1970-79. A total of 901 children aged 0-17 years were registered in this retrospective investigation. One hundred and sixty-four children (51% boys) were physically or emotionally abused or neglected. 75% were 0-7 years old. ⋯ In about half the cases the abuse consisted of vaginal penetration or intercrural rubbing. In 24 cases strangulation was part of the abuse, but no fatal cases occurred. In seven cases, the abuse resulted in venerial disease, in six cases pregnancy and 68 cases of lesions of the hymen.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)