Child abuse & neglect
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Child abuse & neglect · Jan 2003
Case ReportsHomicidal commotio cordis: the final blow in a battered infant.
This report describes in detail the occurrence of inflicted commotio cordis (cardiac concussion) in a previously abused 7-week-old. Though inflicted commotio cordis has been reported in three toddlers, this is the first report in a young infant. ⋯ Commotio cordis is a rare event in which a fatal dysrhythmia--usually ventricular fibrillation--is precipitated by a blow to the precordial chest. Previous reports have indicated that homicidal commotio cordis can occur in small children. This report demonstrates that commotio cordis can occur even in the very young, previously abused infant.
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Child abuse & neglect · Dec 2002
Comparative StudyGenital examinations for alleged sexual abuse of prepubertal girls: findings by pediatric emergency medicine physicians compared with child abuse trained physicians.
This study compares abnormal genital examination findings made by pediatric emergency medicine (PEM) physicians to examinations by physicians with training in child sexual abuse in the evaluation of prepubertal girls for suspected sexual abuse. ⋯ There was poor agreement between the pediatric emergency medicine physicians and the physicians with training in child sexual abuse. This study suggests that emergency medicine physicians should consider additional training in this area. In addition, all children with abnormal ED examinations should have follow-up examinations by a child abuse trained physician.
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Child abuse & neglect · Dec 2002
Relationships between childhood abuse and neglect experience and HIV risk behaviors among methadone treatment drop-outs.
The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships between childhood abuse/neglect experiences (sexual abuse, physical abuse, emotional abuse, and child neglect) and adult life functioning among Methadone Maintenance Treatment Program (MMTP) drop-outs. ⋯ The findings support a need for drug treatment programs that include specialized therapies for those who suffered childhood abuse and neglect experiences.
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Child abuse & neglect · Aug 2002
Nearly 4 years after an event: children's eyewitness memory and adults' perceptions of children's accuracy.
The current study examined children's eyewitness memory nearly 4 years after an event and the ability of adults to evaluate such memory. ⋯ Children were generally resistant to suggestions that abuse occurred during a long-ago generally forgotten event, but some potentially concerning errors were made. Both professionals and non-professionals had difficulty estimating the accuracy of children's reports, but adults were more likely to rate children as accurate if the children answered abuse-related questions correctly. Training and personal experience were associated with adults' ratings of children's reports. Implications for evaluations of child abuse reports are discussed.
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Child abuse & neglect · Aug 2002
The nature, extent and effects of emotional abuse on primary school pupils by teachers in Zimbabwe.
The study seeks to determine the nature, extent and effects of emotional abuse; and who the perpetrators are in Zimbabwean primary schools. ⋯ It is clear that emotional abuse exists in Zimbabwean primary schools and female teachers appear to be the main perpetrators of this form of child abuse. This form of child abuse may involve one perpetrator and a series of victims.