ABSTRACT
Child abuse has been documented in various forms since the beginning of recorded history. This article reviews the legal aspects of reporting child abuse, the epidemiology of child abuse, various physical manifestations of child abuse, and effective treatment procedures. It is only with the appropriate interventions that physicians can begin to make an impact on the future of abused children.
Subject(s)
Child Abuse/diagnosis , Emergency Treatment/methods , Age Distribution , Child , Child Abuse/legislation & jurisprudence , Child Abuse/statistics & numerical data , Child Abuse/therapy , Female , Forensic Medicine , Humans , Male , Medical History Taking/methods , Physical Examination/methods , Physician's Role , Risk Factors , Sex Distribution , United States/epidemiologySubject(s)
Strabismus/etiology , Adolescent , Adult , Child , Child, Preschool , Female , Humans , Incidence , Infant , Infant, Newborn , Male , Refraction, Ocular , Risk Factors , Strabismus/surgery , Strabismus/therapy , Visual AcuityABSTRACT
PIP: The effects of early discharge of low birth weight (LBW) infants on increased morbidity and mortality were studied. 84 infants, weighing 2.45 kg or less were delivered by 82 mothers at Zanana Hospital, Udaipur. Their gestational ages were determined from the 1st day of the last menstrual period and they were grouped as small or appropriate for gestational age by weight. Head and midarm circumference were measured and Usher scoring done. Criteria for nursery placement included: outcome of a high risk pregnancy and requiring observation, high risk newborn, vital signs are unstable in a room environment, significant medical problems, feeding problems, and maternal inadequacy. Infants without any of the above conditions were given directly to their mothers in the ward. Babies were discharged according to the following criteria without necessarily attaining a particular weight level: vital signs are stable in a room environment, feeding is adequate, medical problems are treated, mother is well enough to care for the infant and parents are instructed in infant care. Followup occurred at 15 day intervals for 2-4 months. 60 infants were small for gestational age and 24 were appropriate. 45 mothers had high risk pregnancies. 31 infants were initially kept in the nursery. Of these, 22 were observed for 2 hours to 2 days, only 4 were kept more than 6 days. Of the 53 babies with no initial problems, most required some treatment for a problem which developed during the hospital ward stay. 55 infants were discharged within 7 days, only 15 stayed more than 9 days due to maternal problems. The length of stay ranged from 3-33 days. 68 infants weighed within 2.25 kg at discharge, 35 weighed 2 kg or less. 79 infants were followed up. Their anthropometric measurements showed steady linear progression. 20 had minor infections and 8 had occasional regurgitation of milk. None required hospitalization nor died during the followup period. The results indicate that not all LBW infants require nursery care and that early discharge according to the above criteria is not detrimental to the infant's health.^ieng
