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1.
Arch. argent. pediatr ; 122(3): e202303026, jun. 2024. ilus
Article in English, Spanish | LILACS, BINACIS | ID: biblio-1554938

ABSTRACT

El maltrato infantil es definido por la Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS) como "el abuso y la desatención que sufren los niños menores de 18 años. Incluye todo tipo de maltrato físico y/o emocional […] que resulte en un daño real o potencial para la salud, la supervivencia, el desarrollo o la dignidad del niño". Al examinar los rastros corporales del maltrato físico, siguiendo los mecanismos de lesión más frecuentemente implicados, es posible detectar patrones radiológicos típicos. La evaluación imagenológica del hueso en reparación permite inferir cronologías para correlacionar con los datos obtenidos en la anamnesis. Los profesionales de la salud deben detectar oportunamente lesiones radiológicas sospechosas y activar de forma temprana el resguardo del menor. Nuestro propósito es realizar una revisión sobre las publicaciones recientes referidas al estudio imagenológico en niños de quienes se sospeche que puedan ser víctimas de violencia física.


The World Health Organization (WHO) defines child maltreatment as "the abuse and neglect that occurs to children under 18 years of age. It includes all types of physical and/or emotional ill-treatment [...], which results in actual or potential harm to the child's health, survival, development or dignity." By examining the bodily traces of physical abuse, following the most frequently involved mechanisms of injury, it is possible to identify typical radiological patterns. The imaging studies of the bone under repair allows inferring a timeline that may be correlated to the data obtained during history taking. Health care providers should detect suspicious radiological lesions in a timely manner and promptly activate the safeguarding of the child. Our objective was to review recent publications on the imaging studies of children suspected of being victims of physical violence.


Subject(s)
Humans , Child, Preschool , Child , Adolescent , Child Abuse/psychology , Violence , Radiologists
2.
Arch. argent. pediatr ; 122(3): e202310139, jun. 2024. ilus
Article in English, Spanish | LILACS, BINACIS | ID: biblio-1555014

ABSTRACT

Las fracturas con hundimiento de cráneo sin una explicación clara sobre su origen orientan al traumatismo con un objeto romo y a la sospecha de maltrato infantil. En el caso de los bebés recién nacidos, su corta edad es un factor de vulnerabilidad y obliga a una exhaustiva evaluación. Ante la sospecha de maltrato infantil, resulta importante evaluar los diagnósticos diferenciales para realizar la intervención más adecuada posible. Es necesario evitar tanto intervenciones excesivas como omitir la intervención que sea necesaria. Las fracturas craneales deprimidas congénitas, descritas como "fracturas pingpong", son raras (0,3 a 2/10 000 partos). Pueden aparecer sin antecedentes traumáticos o en partos instrumentalizados. Se describe en este artículo el caso de un recién nacido con una fractura ping-pong como ejemplo de una fractura no intencional.


Depressed skull fractures without a clear explanation as to their origin point to trauma with a blunt object and suspected child abuse. In the case of newborn infants, their young age is a vulnerability factor and requires an exhaustive assessment. When child abuse is suspected, an assessment of the differential diagnoses is required to make the most appropriate intervention possible. Both an excessive intervention and an omission of a necessary intervention should be avoided. Congenital depressed skull fractures, described as "ping-pong fractures", are rare (0.3 to 2/10 000 births). They may appear without any trauma history or in instrumentalized childbirth. Here we describe the case of a newborn infant with a ping-pong fracture as an example of an accidental fracture.


Subject(s)
Humans , Female , Pregnancy , Infant, Newborn , Child Abuse/diagnosis , Skull Fracture, Depressed/congenital , Skull Fracture, Depressed/diagnosis , Delivery, Obstetric , Diagnosis, Differential , Physical Abuse
3.
Child Adolesc Psychiatr Clin N Am ; 33(3): 369-379, 2024 Jul.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38823810

ABSTRACT

Children and adolescents in foster care include many of the most severely traumatized victims of child abuse and neglect. They deserve the best possible care and treatment, yet their outcomes remain poor. The persistence of poor outcomes for youth in foster care reflects challenges of psychiatric diagnostic formulation and of service system design/access, both areas in which child and adolescent psychiatrists have a key role to improve care and outcomes.


Subject(s)
Child Abuse , Child Welfare , Foster Home Care , Humans , Child , Adolescent , Child Psychiatry
4.
Scand J Pain ; 24(1)2024 Jan 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38842279

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: We examined associations of a self-reported history of childhood abuse with pain and physical functioning in patients with knee osteoarthritis (KOA) awaiting total knee arthroplasty (TKA). We also explored the potential moderating effects of positive childhood experiences (PCEs), an index of resilience, on these associations. METHODS: Prior to TKA, participants with KOA awaiting surgery (N = 239) completed self-report measures of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), PCEs, pain, and physical functioning. We evaluated associations of pain and physical functioning (Brief Pain Inventory [BPI] and Western Ontario and McMaster University of Osteoarthritis Index [WOMAC]) based on the experience of ACEs (childhood abuse), with PCEs (childhood happiness and supportive parental care) as potential moderators. RESULTS: Greater exposure to childhood abuse was positively correlated with BPI pain interference as well as WOMAC pain and functioning scores. Additionally, childhood happiness and supportive parental care moderated the positive associations of childhood abuse with pain and physical functioning; though, surprisingly, the adverse effects of childhood abuse on these outcomes were more pronounced among participants with high levels of childhood happiness and supportive parental care. CONCLUSION: Overall, results show an association between a self-reported history of childhood abuse and pain and functioning in patients with KOA awaiting TKA. However, PCEs did not protect against the negative consequences of childhood abuse in our cohort. Further research is needed to validate these associations and gain a more comprehensive understanding of the complex interplay between childhood abuse and PCEs and their potential influences on pain experiences in adults with chronic pain conditions, including KOA.


Subject(s)
Osteoarthritis, Knee , Resilience, Psychological , Humans , Osteoarthritis, Knee/psychology , Osteoarthritis, Knee/physiopathology , Female , Male , Middle Aged , Aged , Self Report , Adverse Childhood Experiences/psychology , Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee/psychology , Pain Measurement , Pain/psychology , Child Abuse/psychology
5.
Psychodyn Psychiatry ; 52(2): 189-205, 2024 Jun.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38829226

ABSTRACT

In the fall of 2019, a much-publicized court case brought to national attention the issues of patient-doctor confidentiality when it comes to reporting the deaths of newborns in the United States. It is unclear whether the recent overturning of Roe v. Wade will lead to more cases like this. This article discusses issues of countertransference, as well as the ethical and legal implications were it to be a psychiatrist, in active treatment of such a patient, who would be required to make such a report. More specifically, as in the publicized court case, the patient could be a minor at the time, receiving treatment from a child psychiatrist. The implications of such a case include how countertransference affects the perception of fatal child neglect compared to intentional neonaticide; the ethical dilemma of generating a mandated report with the goal of child safety when such a report could lead to real legal consequences for a minor child; and considerations regarding continued treatment of a patient after such a report is made. It is likely that countertransference, shaped by attitudes toward mothers and idealized views on mothering, may play a large role in all these circumstances.


Subject(s)
Child Abuse , Countertransference , Mandatory Reporting , Humans , Child Abuse/legislation & jurisprudence , Child Abuse/ethics , Mandatory Reporting/ethics , United States , Infant, Newborn , Child , Female
6.
BMC Womens Health ; 24(1): 319, 2024 Jun 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38824574

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Childhood victimization has been associated with long-term psychological effects and an increased risk of being victimized in later life. Previous research has primarily focused on sexual abuse during childhood, and a wide range of consequences have been identified. However, a significant gap remains in our understanding of the complex interaction between different forms of childhood abuse and violence in later life, particularly in the context of broader social stressors such as armed conflict and displacement. METHODS: This study examines the association between exposure to different types of childhood maltreatment in the context of family and intimate partner violence (IPV) among displaced women living in refugee camps in northern Iraq. Structured interviews were conducted by trained female psychologists with 332 women aged between 20 and 62 years. RESULTS: Results indicated that over one-third of the participating women reported experiencing at least one occurrence of IPV by their husbands within the past year. In addition, participants reported experiences of different types of maltreatment (physical, emotional, and sexual violence and physical and emotional neglect) perpetrated by family members in their childhood. While all forms of childhood maltreatment showed an association with IPV within the past year, only emotional childhood maltreatment was found to be a significant predictor of IPV in a multivariate analysis. CONCLUSION: The study highlights the ongoing impact of child maltreatment and its contribution to increased vulnerability to IPV victimization in later life. In addition, this study describes the specific cultural and contextual elements that contribute to IPV in refugee camps.


Subject(s)
Crime Victims , Intimate Partner Violence , Refugees , Humans , Female , Adult , Intimate Partner Violence/psychology , Intimate Partner Violence/statistics & numerical data , Refugees/psychology , Refugees/statistics & numerical data , Middle Aged , Iraq , Crime Victims/psychology , Crime Victims/statistics & numerical data , Young Adult , Adult Survivors of Child Abuse/psychology , Adult Survivors of Child Abuse/statistics & numerical data , Refugee Camps , Child Abuse/psychology , Child Abuse/statistics & numerical data , Armed Conflicts/psychology
7.
Indian J Public Health ; 68(1): 26-30, 2024 Jan 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38847629

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Violence against children within the family context is a global issue that has serious implications for children's well-being. In Indonesia, like the tip of an iceberg, this violence is often underreported. However, this issue is prevalent in many countries worldwide. It is estimated that up to 1 billion children aged 2-17 years experienced physical, sexual, and emotional violence in the past year. Most of this violence occurs within the family, and this trend is also apparent in Indonesia. OBJECTIVES: This research aims to describe the types, forms, and perpetrators of violence against children in Padang, Indonesia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study utilizes a descriptive design with a population of elementary school-age children in Padang City. The population consists of 16,747 individuals, with a margin of error of 3%. The sample size was determined using the Slovin formula, resulting in a sample of approximately 1000 individuals. Data were collected from October to December 2022 through two types of questionnaires, one describing respondent demographics and the other containing questions about the forms of violence perpetrated by parents. Data collection was facilitated by enumerators from elementary school teachers who had undergone training. RESULTS: The study involved 1200 participants, with 1000 providing complete data. The results showed that 95.1% of children had experienced violence within the family, including physical violence (94.60%), psychological violence (95.10%), sexual violence (22.10%), and social violence (31.60%). Mothers were the most common perpetrators (80%), followed by fathers (61.3%), grandfathers (14.8%), brothers (35.4%), and uncles (13.1%). CONCLUSION: This research underscores the alarming prevalence of violence against children within the family context in Padang. Addressing and preventing violence against children should be a priority to protect their rights and create a safe environment for their development.


Subject(s)
Child Abuse , Humans , Indonesia/epidemiology , Child , Female , Male , Child, Preschool , Adolescent , Child Abuse/statistics & numerical data , Domestic Violence/statistics & numerical data , Surveys and Questionnaires , Socioeconomic Factors
8.
Front Public Health ; 12: 1181837, 2024.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38841674

ABSTRACT

Purpose: Childhood exposure to domestic violence and abuse (DVA) can lead to major short- and long-term effects on the victim. Despite this, there is no accepted measure for children's experiences, with most existing measures being validated only in high income countries and not in low- and middle- income countries. As a result, international statistics are not comparable. This paper seeks to critically appraise existing measures and discuss whether any are fit-for-purpose on a global scale. Method: The COSMIN PROMs approach was followed to critically appraise and compare the appropriateness of measures. A comprehensive literature search was undertaken in seven journal databases for measures mentioned in formally peer-reviewed articles exploring childhood exposure to DVA. Results: A literature search resulted in the identification of 10 measures and, following criteria to only keep original measures and remove modifications, four measures which have been validated cross-culturally are discussed in detail in line with the COSMIN PROMs criterion: The Child Exposure to Domestic Violence Scale, Children's Perception of Interparental Conflict Scale, Juvenile Victimization Questionnaire and The Violence Exposure Scale for Children. Strengths and limitations of each are discussed, along with any validations undertaken not in the country of origin. Conclusion: Despite childhood exposure to DVA being an urgent research priority worldwide, the current measures to explore the extent of the issue are not validated cross-culturally, leading to concerns about comparisons across different population groups. The development and implementation of interventions to reduce the levels and effects of exposure relies heavily on cross-cultural comparisons, which may indicate different strategies are needed in different contexts. The lack of these validated comparisons is constraining advances, and the paper advocates for further efforts to be made in this regard.


Subject(s)
Domestic Violence , Humans , Domestic Violence/statistics & numerical data , Child , Surveys and Questionnaires , Exposure to Violence/psychology , Exposure to Violence/statistics & numerical data , Female , Global Health , Male , Child Abuse/statistics & numerical data , Crime Victims/statistics & numerical data , Adolescent
9.
Arch Dermatol Res ; 316(7): 381, 2024 Jun 08.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38850430

ABSTRACT

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are forms of abuse, neglect, or household dysfunction before the age of 18. We found individuals exposed to ACEs are at increased odds of receiving a melanoma diagnosis. ACEs range from people whose parents divorced in childhood (OR 1.64) to people who were physically hurt by their parents (OR 2.41).


Subject(s)
Adverse Childhood Experiences , Melanoma , Skin Neoplasms , Humans , Melanoma/epidemiology , Melanoma/diagnosis , Adverse Childhood Experiences/statistics & numerical data , Female , Male , Skin Neoplasms/epidemiology , Skin Neoplasms/diagnosis , Skin Neoplasms/etiology , Child , Adult , Middle Aged , Adolescent , Risk Factors , Aged , Young Adult , Child Abuse/statistics & numerical data , Child Abuse/psychology
10.
Cereb Cortex ; 34(5)2024 May 02.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38760318

ABSTRACT

Cortical parvalbumin interneurons (PV+) are major regulators of excitatory/inhibitory information processing, and their maturation is associated with the opening of developmental critical periods (CP). Recent studies reveal that cortical PV+ axons are myelinated, and that myelination along with perineuronal net (PNN) maturation around PV+ cells is associated with the closures of CP. Although PV+ interneurons are susceptible to early-life stress, their relationship between their myelination and PNN coverage remains unexplored. This study compared the fine features of PV+ interneurons in well-characterized human post-mortem ventromedial prefrontal cortex samples (n = 31) from depressed suicides with or without a history of child abuse (CA) and matched controls. In healthy controls, 81% of all sampled PV+ interneurons displayed a myelinated axon, while a subset (66%) of these cells also displayed a PNN, proposing a relationship between both attributes. Intriguingly, a 3-fold increase in the proportion of unmyelinated PV+ interneurons with a PNN was observed in CA victims, along with greater PV-immunofluorescence intensity in myelinated PV+ cells with a PNN. This study, which is the first to provide normative data on myelination and PNNs around PV+ interneurons in human neocortex, sheds further light on the cellular and molecular consequences of early-life adversity on cortical PV+ interneurons.


Subject(s)
Interneurons , Parvalbumins , Prefrontal Cortex , Humans , Prefrontal Cortex/pathology , Prefrontal Cortex/metabolism , Parvalbumins/metabolism , Interneurons/pathology , Interneurons/metabolism , Male , Female , Adult , Middle Aged , Myelin Sheath/pathology , Myelin Sheath/metabolism , Suicide , Aged , Autopsy , Child Abuse/psychology , Young Adult
11.
BMC Pediatr ; 24(1): 302, 2024 May 04.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38704564

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Child abuse and neglect (CAN) causes enormous suffering for those affected. OBJECTIVE: The study investigated the current state of knowledge concerning the recognition of CAN and protocols for suspected cases amongst physicians and teachers. METHODS: In a pilot study conducted in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania from May 2020 to June 2021, we invited teachers and physicians working with children to complete an online questionnaire containing mainly multiple-choice-questions. RESULTS: In total, 45 physicians and 57 teachers responded. Altogether, 84% of physicians and 44% of teachers were aware of cases in which CAN had occurred in the context of their professional activity. Further, 31% of physicians and 23% of teachers stated that specific instructions on CAN did not exist in their professional institution or that they were not aware of them. All physicians and 98% of teachers were in favor of mandatory training on CAN for pediatric residents and trainee teachers. Although 13% of physicians and 49% of teachers considered a discussion of a suspected case of CAN to constitute a breach of confidentiality, 87% of physicians and 60% of teachers stated that they would discuss a suspected case with colleagues. CONCLUSION: Despite the fact that a large proportion of respondents had already been confronted with suspected cases of CAN, further guidelines for reporting procedures and training seem necessary. There is still uncertainty in both professions on dealing with cases of suspected CAN.


Subject(s)
Child Abuse , Physicians , School Teachers , Humans , Child Abuse/diagnosis , Child , Pilot Projects , Surveys and Questionnaires , Female , Male , Adult , Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice , Germany , Middle Aged , Mandatory Reporting , Attitude of Health Personnel
12.
Pediatr Int ; 66(1): e15761, 2024.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38780217

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Behavioral problems of foster children are an important issue for the maintenance of the foster care system, but they have not been adequately studied in Japan. We used the Eyberg Child Behavior Inventory (ECBI) to investigate behavioral problems among foster children and to examine associated factors. METHODS: Twenty-nine foster children and their foster parents and 479 non-foster children and parents were recruited for the foster and control groups, respectively. Both groups underwent statistical comparative analyses using data from their ECBI assessments. The ECBI has two scales: the Intensity Scale quantifies the severity of child behavioral problems, and the Problem Scale captures the caregiver's perceived difficulties handling each behavior. We conducted a retrospective investigation of the background of the foster parent-child pairs to explore potential causal relationships with behavioral problems. RESULTS: The mean intensity score for the foster group was significantly higher than that for the control group (p = 0.001). The mean problem scores for the foster group and the control group were not significantly different (p = 0.79). In the foster group, the retrospective investigation revealed two children with neurological or neurodevelopmental disorders, 17 with histories of abuse, and 10 with other issues. CONCLUSION: Intensity scores showed severe behavioral problems among foster children, perhaps caused by neurological disorders, abuse, parental mental health, or economic hardship. Problem scores showed no significant differences between groups. It can therefore be posited that foster parents might exhibit a more lenient parenting style when dealing with children who have a history of abuse by their biological parents.


Subject(s)
Child Behavior Disorders , Foster Home Care , Humans , Japan/epidemiology , Female , Male , Retrospective Studies , Child , Child, Preschool , Child Behavior Disorders/psychology , Child Behavior Disorders/epidemiology , Child Behavior Disorders/diagnosis , Foster Home Care/psychology , Child, Foster/psychology , Child Behavior/psychology , Adolescent , Child Abuse/psychology , Child Abuse/statistics & numerical data , Parents/psychology , Infant , Case-Control Studies
13.
Sci Rep ; 14(1): 11465, 2024 05 20.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38769421

ABSTRACT

Childhood maltreatment is reportedly associated with atypical gray matter structures in the primary visual cortex (V1). This study explores the hypothesis that retinal structures, the sensory organs of vision, are associated with brain atypicality and child maltreatment and examines their interrelation. General ophthalmologic examinations, visual cognitive tasks, retinal imaging, and structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were conducted in children and adolescents aged 9-18 years with maltreatment experiences (CM) and typically developing (TD) children. The retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL), the most superficial of the ten distinct retinal layers, was found to be significantly thinner in both eyes in CM. While whole-brain analysis using Voxel-based morphometry revealed a significantly larger gray matter volume (GMV) in the thalamus in CM, no significant correlation with RNFL thickness was observed. However, based on region-of-interest analysis, a thinner RNFL was associated with a larger GMV in the right V1. Although it cannot be ruled out that this outcome resulted from maltreatment alone, CM demonstrated subclinical structural atypicality in the retina, which may also correlate with the immaturity of V1 development. Examination of retinal thickness offers a novel clinical approach to capturing characteristics associated with childhood maltreatment.


Subject(s)
Child Abuse , Gray Matter , Magnetic Resonance Imaging , Retina , Visual Cortex , Humans , Child , Gray Matter/diagnostic imaging , Gray Matter/pathology , Male , Adolescent , Female , Retina/pathology , Retina/diagnostic imaging , Magnetic Resonance Imaging/methods , Visual Cortex/diagnostic imaging , Visual Cortex/pathology
14.
Attach Hum Dev ; 26(2): 181-201, 2024 Apr.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38757273

ABSTRACT

Elucidating the influence of microsystem and exosystem factors on development is an important goal of developmental psychopathology. This study examined the effects of maltreatment and neighborhood risk on child-caregiver attachment. Maltreatment records, neighborhood risk indices, and Strange Situation data were collected from a diverse sample of 170 four-year-old children and their caregivers. Relative contributions of maltreatment, neighborhood risk, and their interaction on attachment insecurity and disorganization were explored via latent moderation. Maltreated children demonstrated higher rates of insecure attachment, but not attachment disorganization, independent of neighborhood risk. Controlling for maltreatment, preliminary results suggested no effects of neighborhood risk on attachment. Findings support prior research that has identified maltreatment as a salient risk to the formation of secure attachment relationships. However, results add heterogeneity to the limited research investigating effects of neighborhood on attachment. Overall, this study highlights the importance of examining multilevel ecological risk in relation to attachment relationship development.


Subject(s)
Child Abuse , Object Attachment , Residence Characteristics , Humans , Male , Female , Child Abuse/psychology , Child, Preschool , Pilot Projects , Risk Factors , Caregivers/psychology
15.
PLoS One ; 19(5): e0302782, 2024.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38713700

ABSTRACT

Parents with a history of childhood maltreatment may be more likely to respond inadequately to their child's emotional cues, such as crying or screaming, due to previous exposure to prolonged stress. While studies have investigated parents' physiological reactions to their children's vocal expressions of emotions, less attention has been given to their responses when perceiving children's facial expressions of emotions. The present study aimed to determine if viewing facial expressions of emotions in children induces cardiovascular changes in mothers (hypo- or hyper-arousal) and whether these differ as a function of childhood maltreatment. A total of 104 mothers took part in this study. Their experiences of childhood maltreatment were measured using the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ). Participants' electrocardiogram signals were recorded during a task in which they viewed a landscape video (baseline) and images of children's faces expressing different intensities of emotion. Heart rate variability (HRV) was extracted from the recordings as an indicator of parasympathetic reactivity. Participants presented two profiles: one group of mothers had a decreased HRV when presented with images of children's facial expressions of emotions, while the other group's HRV increased. However, HRV change was not significantly different between the two groups. The interaction between HRV groups and the severity of maltreatment experienced was marginal. Results suggested that experiences of childhood emotional abuse were more common in mothers whose HRV increased during the task. Therefore, more severe childhood experiences of emotional abuse could be associated with mothers' cardiovascular hyperreactivity. Maladaptive cardiovascular responses could have a ripple effect, influencing how mothers react to their children's facial expressions of emotions. That reaction could affect the quality of their interaction with their child. Providing interventions that help parents regulate their physiological and behavioral responses to stress might be helpful, especially if they have experienced childhood maltreatment.


Subject(s)
Emotions , Facial Expression , Heart Rate , Mothers , Humans , Female , Adult , Heart Rate/physiology , Child , Emotions/physiology , Mothers/psychology , Emotional Abuse/psychology , Male , Electrocardiography , Child Abuse/psychology , Mother-Child Relations/psychology , Surveys and Questionnaires
16.
Sci Justice ; 64(3): 297-304, 2024 May.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38735666

ABSTRACT

Child abuse is a serious concern that can cause the death of a child. In such cases the medico-legal evidence is often pivotal but complex, drawing across multiple medical disciplines and techniques. One key specialism is histopathology, which is considered the gold standard for estimating the age of individual fractures. Another is micro-CT imaging, which can visualise the location of trauma across the body. This case report demonstrates how micro-CT was used to contextualise the histological evidence in the Criminal Justice Proceedings of a fatal child abuse case. This was achieved by overlaying the aged fracture evidence from histopathology onto the visuals rendered from micro-CT imaging. The case was a suspected child abuse of a deceased 1-month old infant who was reported unresponsive by their parents. The child was taken to hospital where they were pronounced dead. Suspicion was raised and post-mortem imaging confirmed head trauma and rib fractures, and the case was escalated for a forensic investigation. This case report details how the micro-CT imaging was merged with the gold standard of histopathology for visualisation of trauma, and how the court presentation was planned alongside Senior Investigating Officers and various medical experts. The presentation was used in court by the histopathologist to present the evidence. The resulting presentation provided additional clarity to jury members regarding the location, severity, frequency, and timings of the injuries. From the perspective of the investigating police force, the resulting presentation was crucial in ensuring understanding of the medico-legal evidence of how the infant died. The prosecuting lawyer noted that combining the histological and micro-CT evidence in this way allowed the evidence to be presented in a sensitive, clear, and impactful manner.


Subject(s)
Child Abuse , Rib Fractures , X-Ray Microtomography , Humans , Child Abuse/diagnosis , Infant , Rib Fractures/diagnostic imaging , Rib Fractures/pathology , Male , Forensic Pathology/methods
17.
Psychosoc Interv ; 33(2): 73-88, 2024 May.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38711419

ABSTRACT

Objective: Parent peer advocacy, mentoring, and support programs, delivered by parents with lived child protection (CP) experience to parents receiving CP intervention, are increasingly recognized internationally as inclusive practices that promote positive outcomes, but little is known about what shared characteristics exist across these types of programs and what variations may exist in service delivery or impact. This scoping review examines 25 years (1996-2021) of empirical literature on these programs to develop a systematic mapping of existing models and practices as context for program benefits and outcome achievement. Method: Studies were selected using a systematic search process. The final sample comprised 45 publications that addressed research on 24 CP-related parent peer advocacy and support programs. Data analysis explored how programs were studied and conceptualized and examined their impact on parents, professionals, and the CP system. Results: Substantial variation in program settings, target populations, aims, advocate roles, and underlying theoretical frameworks were identified. Across program settings, existing empirical evidence on impact and outcomes also varied, though positive impacts and outcomes were evident across most settings. Conclusions: Findings from this review highlight the need to account better for parent peer advocacy and support program variations in future practice development to ensure alignment with inclusive and participatory principles and goals. Future research is also needed to address current knowledge gaps and shed light on the impact of these differences on individual, case, and system outcomes.


Subject(s)
Mentoring , Parents , Peer Group , Humans , Parents/psychology , Child , Child Protective Services , Social Support , Child Abuse/prevention & control
18.
BMJ Open ; 14(5): e081331, 2024 May 03.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38702078

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Paediatricians perform medical assessments for children in cases of suspected child maltreatment. Due to their role with statutory child protection agencies and police, paediatricians may be asked to testify in court about child protection and criminal justice matters. To the authors' knowledge, there has been no previous systematic review of the literature synthesising the evidence on the impacts on paediatricians testifying in cases of child maltreatment. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: A search strategy comprising indexed and key terms will be applied to six electronic reference databases from inception to May 2023: Medline, EMBASE, PsycINFO, CINAHL, Criminal Justice Abstracts and Cochrane Library. Two reviewers will independently screen titles and abstracts and full-text articles against predefined eligibility criteria to identify studies of interest. Conflicts will be independently adjudicated by a third reviewer. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Since the systematic review methodology aims at synthesising information from available publications, this study does not require ethical approval. An article reporting the results of the systematic review will be submitted for publication in a scientific journal, presented at relevant conferences and used in subsequent stakeholder consultations.


Subject(s)
Child Abuse , Pediatricians , Systematic Reviews as Topic , Humans , Child Abuse/diagnosis , Child , Research Design , Pediatrics
19.
Lancet Public Health ; 9(5): e326-e338, 2024 May.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38702097

ABSTRACT

Efforts to prevent or respond to intimate partner violence (IPV) and violence against children (VAC) are still disparate worldwide, despite increasing evidence of intersections across these forms of violence. We conducted a systematic review to explore interventions that prevent or respond to IPV and VAC by parents or caregivers, aiming to identify common intervention components and mechanisms that lead to a reduction in IPV and VAC. 30 unique interventions from 16 countries were identified, with 20 targeting both IPV and VAC. Key mechanisms for reducing IPV and VAC in primary prevention interventions included improved communication, conflict resolution, reflection on harmful gender norms, and awareness of the adverse consequences of IPV and VAC on children. Therapeutic programmes for women and children who were exposed to IPV facilitated engagement with IPV-related trauma, increased awareness of the effects of IPV, and promoted avoidance of unhealthy relationships. Evidence gaps in low-income and middle-income countries involved adolescent interventions, post-abuse interventions for women and children, and interventions addressing both prevention and response to IPV and VAC. Our findings strengthen evidence in support of efforts to address IPV and VAC through coordinated prevention and response programmes. However, response interventions for both IPV and VAC are rare and predominantly implemented in high-income countries. Although therapeutic programmes for parents, caregivers, and children in high-income countries are promising, their feasibility in low-income and middle-income countries remains uncertain. Despite this uncertainty, there is potential to improve the use of health services to address IPV and VAC together.


Subject(s)
Child Abuse , Intimate Partner Violence , Humans , Intimate Partner Violence/prevention & control , Intimate Partner Violence/statistics & numerical data , Female , Child , Child Abuse/prevention & control , Adolescent
20.
Rev Med Suisse ; 20(875): 1046-1049, 2024 May 22.
Article in French | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38783675

ABSTRACT

Neglect of children and adolescents is the most common form of abuse and occurs when their basic needs are not met. The negative impact on physical and mental health can be significant. Early detection by primary care physicians and support for parents and the community, in collaboration with the social and health network, are essential to ensure that minors have an environment conducive to their healthy development. Recognizing the needs of children and teenagers is an important issue in social and preventive medicine, as is defending their interests and rights.


La négligence envers les enfants et les adolescent-e-s est la forme la plus fréquente de maltraitance et survient lorsque leurs besoins fondamentaux ne sont pas pourvus. Les impacts négatifs sur la santé physique et psychique peuvent être importants. La détection précoce par les médecins de premier recours ainsi qu'un accompagnement des parents et de la communauté en collaboration avec le réseau socio-sanitaire sont essentiels pour garantir aux mineur-e-s un environnement propice à leur bon développement. La reconnaissance des besoins des enfants et adolescent-e-s est un enjeu important de médecine sociale et préventive qui s'inscrit dans la défense de leurs intérêts et de leurs droits.


Subject(s)
Child Abuse , Early Diagnosis , Humans , Adolescent , Child , Child Abuse/diagnosis , Child Abuse/prevention & control , Child Abuse/psychology , Primary Health Care
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