Journal of developmental and behavioral pediatrics : JDBP
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J Dev Behav Pediatr · Aug 2003
Case ReportsMalingering by proxy: a form of pediatric condition falsification.
The deliberate production or feigning of signs or symptoms in a child by a caretaker is well recognized as factitious disorder by proxy, a psychiatric condition commonly reported in the pediatric literature. However, it is not as well recognized that the false illness portrayal may also be the result of a parent instructing the child to malinger. ⋯ Physicians are encouraged to make protecting the child from parental or iatrogenic harm a priority. Recommendations for careful confrontation and expedient resolution are made.