Journal of paediatrics and child health
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J Paediatr Child Health · May 2005
Case ReportsAssessment and follow-up of suspected child abuse in preschool children with fractures seen in a general hospital emergency department.
To evaluate the emergency department assessment and follow-up of possible child abuse in children with fractures. ⋯ Emergency department staff in a general hospital do not document or assess for all of the indicators of child abuse in a high-risk population and they do not document consideration of the diagnosis in the majority of cases. Emergency department staff need more training and more resources to allow for full assessment of child abuse. Suspected child abuse cases should be referred to a paediatrician to improve investigation and follow-up.