The demographics of minor perpetrators of sexually assaulted pediatric patients from the Philippine General Hospital - Child Protection Unit (PGH-CPU) from January 2013 to December 2018

Background@#Child sexual assault has been underreported, more so, those who minor perpetrators have assaulted. Surveillance for these children, victims and perpetrators alike, must be established. @*Objective@#The objective was to describe the characteristic profile of the minor perpetrators who committed child sexual abuse seen in Philippine General Hospital - Child Protection Unit (PGH-CPU) from January 2013 to December 2018. @*Methodology@#This retrospective cohort study was conducted using chart review and data retrieval from the Child Protection Management Information System (CPMIS) of the PGH-CPU.@*Results@#There were 931 minor perpetrators. 55.9% were 15-19 years old and were predominantly male. 12.7% came from Cavite and 9.5% from Manila. Most were neighbors, acquaintances, and cousins of the victims. 39.4% were still students. 14.4% engaged in alcohol consumption. 7.7% have repeatedly abused children. 6.1% already had police blotter records. 7.3% were exposed to pornography. 7.5% are currently in jail, and 4.1% are in the same household as the victim. @*Conclusion@#A child’s environment is potentially contributory to their actions. The minor perpetrators reported were observed to have adverse childhood experiences like violence in their families. Although sexual abuse cases focus on the victims, it is equally vital that authorities give attention to minor perpetrators because they are also children. Programs and interventions should be provided for them to grow up to be better individuals in society.

Hansen’s Disease in an adolescent: A case report

@#Leprosy is a chronic communicable disease that remains to be endemic worldwide and children and adolescents are most vulnerable to infection. A 17-year-old Filipina presented with a 4-year history of multiple skin lesions evolving into various forms, associated with pain and deformity of extremities. She was diagnosed with Hansen’s disease, lepromatous type, in severe erythema nodosum leprosum. She was started on multi-drug therapy with Rifampicin, Clofazimine and Clarithromycin. There was remarkable improvement with arrested progression of skin lesions, conversion of wounds into granulation tissue, significant decrease in painful sensation, and gradual ability to move the extremities. Early recognition of leprosy and prompt initiation of treatment will ultimately prevent complications and disabilities in afflicted patients. A holistic approach is key in the management of children and adolescents with leprosy.