Awareness of Toxic Stress and Adverse Childhood Experiences among Dutch Pediatric Health Care Providers: A National Survey.

Introduction: Early recognition of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and adequate interventions are required to prevent negative effects on the child's mental and physical health later in life caused by toxic stress. This study aimed to assess how familiar the concepts of ACEs and toxic stress are among Dutch pediatric health care providers (PHCPs) and whether screening for ACEs is standard practice in the Netherlands.Methods: From October 2018 until March 2019, a nation-wide questionnaire survey was held.Results: Of 548 participating PHCPs, 29% were familiar with toxic stress, 67% were familiar with ACEs, and 63% knew of the relationship between multiple ACEs and somatic diseases. Routine inquiries about ACEs were done always by 17% of the participants and sometimes by 65%. The ACEs which PHCPs asked about the most included divorce (n=288; 76.8%), bullying (n=265; 70.7%), physical domestic violence (n=184; 49.1%), parental psychiatric diseases (n=205; 54.7%) and sexual abuse (n=164; 43.7%). The ACEs asked about the least included deportation of a family member (n=22; 5.9%), gender discrimination (n=9; 2.4%) and racism (n=17; 4.5%).Conclusion: Even in 2019, there is limited awareness among Dutch PHCPs of ACEs and toxic stress. While most acknowledged to be aware of the role that toxic stress plays in the physical and mental health consequences of ACEs later in life, only 17% of the respondents performed standard ACE screening. Our findings underscore the need for standard ACE screening guidelines to support early recognition and adequate treatment of children suffering with toxic stress.

Is a Parry Fracture-An Isolated Fracture of the Ulnar Shaft-Associated with the Probability of Abuse in Children between 2 and 16 Years Old?

A parry fracture is an isolated fracture of the ulnar shaft. It occurs when the ulna receives the full force of an impact when the forearm is raised to protect the face. The aim of this study is to assess a possible association between a parry fracture and the probability of abuse in children. In this retrospective, observational, multicenter study, we identified patients between 2 and 16 years old who had been treated for an isolated ulnar shaft fracture. Patient characteristics were registered, anonymized radiographs were rated, and charts were screened for referral to a child protective team. A total of 36 patients were analyzed. As no referrals were registered during follow-up, the primary outcome was changed to a perpendicular force as trauma mechanism. Univariable regression analysis and independent t-test both showed no significant association between patient factors or radiographic classification, and the reported trauma mechanism. We were unable to determine an association between a parry fracture and the probability of abuse. Since trauma mechanism does have a biomechanical effect on the fracture type, we would advise that a very clear reconstruction (and documentation) of the trauma mechanism should be established when a parry fracture is identified on radiographs.