Drug-Induced Undifferentiated Connective Tissue Disease in a Two-Year-Old Girl: A Manifestation of Factitious Disorder Imposed on Another (FDIA).

Factitious disorder imposed on another (FDIA), formerly known as Munchausen syndrome by proxy (MSBP), constitutes a form of child abuse wherein a caregiver fabricates or induces illness in a person under their care or supervision. Here, we present a case of a two-year-old girl with signs and symptoms suggestive of undifferentiated connective tissue disease (UCTD) and probable autoinflammatory disease, which was a manifestation of FDIA. The patient manifested recurrent febrile episodes and presented with hepatosplenomegaly, elevated inflammatory markers, and mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis. Regardless of extensive medical interventions, including corticosteroids and immunosuppressive therapy, the patient's condition failed to improve until the caregiver was isolated from the patient. Upon questioning, the caregiver admitted to having administered pyrogenal, an immunomodulator, to induce symptoms. This case highlights the challenges and difficulties of diagnosing and managing FDIA-associated illnesses, drawing attention to the importance of considering this diagnosis in cases of unexplained or recurrent fever in children.

Munchausen syndrome by proxy: A narrative review and update for the dentist and other healthcare professionals.

Munchausen syndrome by proxy (MSbP) is a form of abuse in which a caregiver with Factitious Disorder Imposed on Another (FDIA) fabricates or induces signs or symptoms in a person under their care to satisfy a self-serving psychological need. Unnecessary clinical evaluations, procedures, and treatments that are initiated based on falsification by the abuser inadvertently add to the trauma experienced by the victim. It is a form of abuse and the impact on victims can be severe, sometimes fatal, and far-reaching such as prolonged neglect and extension to affected siblings. The long-term exposure to MSbP may predispose the victim to eventually developing factitious disorder imposed on self (FDIS). While MSbP often involves child victims, elderly, adults, and pets have also been reported as victims. MSbP can be a diagnostic challenge, and the important keys to timely identification of MSbP include the ability to detect deception by caregivers through awareness, clinical suspicion, and careful review of available health records; it also involves collecting collaborative information from other relevant healthcare providers including dentists, schoolteachers, and social workers. To date, there are limited published cases of MSbP with oral findings. This paper provides a narrative review of the current understanding of MSbP with a section on cases with oral findings. This paper aims to increase awareness about the clinical presentations and management considerations for MSbP among dentists and other healthcare professionals.

Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy Presenting as Pharyngeal Dysphagia and Recurrent Mouth Ulcers: A Case Report.

We report a Munchausen syndrome by proxy (MSBP) case, which presented as pharyngeal dysphagia and an acquired tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF). A six-month-old Saudi male presented with fever, persistent oral ulcers, intermittent bleeding from the ulcers, failure to thrive (FTT), poor appetite, and possible genetic disease. He had a history of recurring admissions due to infections, including those affecting the chest, ear, and bowel. Additionally, he tested positive for vancomycin-resistant enterococcus. There was no history of surgical procedures or blood transfusions. Due to the patient's nutritional status, a gastrostomy tube was inserted. The patient had recurrent bleeding from the tracheostomy tube during the hospital stay despite normal coagulation and platelet profile. Consequently, after diagnostic laryngoscopy, the otolaryngologist specialist pointed out that such retropharyngeal injuries are seen in patients with inflicted injuries, which is, in this case, caused by the mother, as she was the only one with the child during the recurrent bleeding episodes. Thus, we describe a clinical instance of MSBP, especially imitating pharyngeal dysphagia, leading to a delayed diagnosis. We advise adding MSBP to the possible diagnoses upon encountering pharyngeal dysphagia and oral ulcers.

Medical child abuse: Medical history and red flags in French adolescents.

BACKGROUND: Medical child abuse (MCA; or Munchausen syndrome by proxy) is a severe form of adult and medical maltreatment of children. Currently, few data on MCA in adolescents exist. OBJECTIVE: To describe the clinical characteristics and medical history of children and adolescents aged 10 to 18 years with suspected or confirmed MCA in the pediatric hospital setting. METHODS: We included patients aged 10 to 18 years who were seen in five tertiary care hospitals in the Paris area and identified by physician recall such as suspected MCA between 2015 and 2021. RESULTS: We included 29 adolescents; the mean (SD) age was 12.9 (10.8-15.0) years at suspected diagnosis. Medical wandering was common, with a mean of 23 (12.8-33.2) alleged symptoms and 33 (9.2-56.8) specialized consultations in a mean of six different hospitals. The mean number of emergency visits was 11.8 (0-25.9) and radiologic exams 24.3 (5-43.6). Overall, 62 % (18/29) of the adolescents had an underlying organic pathology. The impact of MCA on quality of life was major, with a high rate of school dropout (96 %). The mean delay to the suspected diagnosis was 5.8 (2.6-9) years, and even when recognized, it was rarely the subject of a social or judiciary report (only 42 % of adolescents). In total, 50 % of the adolescents subsequently exhibited Munchausen syndrome. CONCLUSION: Adolescent MCA is poorly known among the medical profession. Increasing awareness, education and knowledge of risk factors could contribute to better care.

Medical Child Abuse: A Review by Subspecialty.

Medical child abuse (MCA), formerly called Munchausen syndrome by proxy (MSP or MSBP), occurs when a caregiver, usually the mother, falsifies or exaggerates symptoms resulting in harm to a child through inappropriate medical care. MCA is underrecognized, underreported, and results in significant morbidity and mortality. Pediatrics subspecialists should consider MCA when unusual disease presentation [THAT] do not respond to traditional treatments. This article reviews the more common diagnoses encountered in MCA cases by specialty.

Factitious Disorder Imposed on Another in Palliative Care: A Case Report.

In palliative care, many end-of-life (EOL) patients are physically dependent on their caregivers. These patients may also have difficulty expressing their needs because of their underlying disease and are vulnerable to abuse. Factitious disorder imposed on another (FDIA) describes a condition in which an individual intentionally feigns physical or psychological signs or symptoms in another person with the intention of deceiving medical providers. Although FDIA is a form of abuse that palliative care workers must be aware of because of its multiple impacts on EOL care, it has never been reported in the palliative care literature. In this case discussion, we highlight a woman with advanced dementia who was subjected to FDIA. We discuss the impact of FDIA on EOL care and the management of FDIA in palliative care.

Suspicion of Munchausen syndrome by proxy with a child's presentation of undernutrition, scurvy, and an apparent Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder.

PURPOSE: Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) was recently characterized in the DSM-5 classification. Potential differential diagnoses remain poorly reported in the literature. Our purpose was to present a possible Munchausen syndrome by proxy with undernutrition and scurvy, presenting as ARFID in a child. METHODS: We describe here a case of an 8-year-old boy who presented with severe undernutrition (BMI = 11.4) and scurvy leading to joint pains. The boy had had a very selective diet since early childhood, and his condition required hospitalization and enteral refeeding. Because of his specific eating behaviour, an ARFID was initially suspected. However, observation of the mother-child relationship, analysis of the child's eating behaviour, and retrospective analysis of his personal history suggested that this was not a true ARFID, and that the selective eating behaviour had probably been induced by the mother over many years, who probably maintained a low variety diet. CONCLUSION: Munchausen syndrome by proxy is a difficult differential diagnosis, which may also affect patients with ARFID symptoms, which may also present in the affected child as apparent ARFID. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level V, descriptive study.

Medicolegal and Ethical Challenges in Diagnosing and Managing Factitious Disorder Imposed on Another (FDIA): A Case Report.

Factitious disorder (FD) is a condition in which patients fabricate evidence and produce false stories that often subject them to needless medical interventions with no clear benefits. In some instances, it can be imposed on a secondary victim often as a form of abuse. Most often, victims of a factitious disorder imposed on another (FDIA) are children or the elderly. Despite a mortality rate between 6 and 10% among victims, FDIA still remains underdiagnosed. Research on it often fails to address healthcare management initiatives, as well as the legal and ethical challenges physicians must navigate when managing it. In this report, we present a rare case of FDIA in an adult patient with a history of diabetes, substance use disorder, and schizoaffective disorder. This case highlights the importance of appropriate communication and detailed documentation when signs of FDIA are suspected. It also identifies the benefits of implementing a multidisciplinary approach when appropriate to minimize harm and improve outcomes.

Organophosphate insecticide poisoning with monocrotophos-induced fabricated illness in a 7-year-old girl with refractory seizures over a 4-year period.

Munchausen syndrome by proxy is a form of abuse in which an adult, usually the mother, deceives health workers by exaggerating, falsifying or directly inducing psychological or physical symptoms in the child victim for psychological gratification. In 2013, the American Academy of Pediatrics coined the term 'caregiver-fabricated illness in a child' to describe this form of child abuse. A 7-year-old girl had many encounters with health workers over a period of 4 years and presented with evolving clinical features including refractory seizures and red urine for which she was followed up as a case of acute intermittent porphyria. She was later discovered to be the victim of chronic monocrotophos organophosphate poisoning by her mother. If all medical staff who manage children are to avoid becoming inadvertent participants in medical child abuse, this case report is an important reminder that a high index of suspicion is warranted in cases which present a diagnostic dilemma and who respond unexpectedly to treatment.Abbreviations AIP: Acute intermittent porphyria; APSAC: American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children; ASM: anti-seizure medication; CFIC: caregiver-fabricated illness in a child; CT: computed tomography: DVT: deep vein thrombosis; EEG: electroencephalogram: ESR: erythrocyte sedimentation rate; HDW: high-dependency ward; ICU: intensive care unit; LFT: liver function test; MBP: Munchausen syndrome by proxy; NICU: neonatal intensive care unit; RFT: renal function test; TB: Tuberculosis; UTH-CH: University Teaching Hospitals Children's Hospital.

Munchausen syndrome by proxy (MSBP): a review regarding perpetrators of factitious disorder imposed on another (FDIA).

Munchausen syndrome by proxy (MSBP) is well-known to clinicians, but its usage is discouraged now in favor of other terms placing emphasis on the victim. This study aims to determine the most common characteristics of perpetrators but only in case reports labeled as MSBP, published in PubMed literature in the past 15 years. MSBP has been described as a rare form of abuse due to illness falsification, where the perpetrator usually receives the diagnosis of factitious disorder imposed on another (FDIA). We extracted data from 108 articles, including 81 case reports. Almost all perpetrators were female (91% female, 1% female and male, 7% unreported). Twenty-three cases (28%) had a perpetrator with psychiatric diagnosis: factitious disorder imposed on self (10%), depression (9%), and personality disorders (7%). In more than one-third (36%) there was familial conflict or abuse. Fourteen cases (17%) had perpetrators working in healthcare. The most common type of falsification was induction (74%); however, 15% of cases had more than one type of falsification. The most common outcomes were: separation (37%); no follow-up (22%); imprisonment (14%); death of victim (12%); treatment of the perpetrator (10%); continued living together (4%); and suicide of perpetrator (1%). Recurrence was present in more than three quarters of cases. Our results reiterate that awareness of the most common findings in MSBP allows physicians to identify them in a clinical context.

Chinese mainland′s first case report of Munchausen syndrome by proxy in children / 中华实用儿科临床杂志

Clinical data of a case of Munchausen syndrome by proxy (MSBP) admitted to the Department of Pediatrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology in November 2020 were retrospectively analyzed.The 4 years and 4 months old female patient presented with retrosternal and abdominal pain for 1 month, and aggravated with multi-organ pain for 20 days.She complained about the retrosternal pain with acid reflux, pain in the teeth, esophagus, and abdomen, etc.During the hospitalization, she frequently complained of multi-organ pain.Her mother repeatedly declared her painful hip joint and she often cried for pain at night, and even could not walk.However, the clinical examination showed no obvious abnormalities.Combining characteristics of the patient and her caregiver, the patient was confirmed as MSBP.It is suggested that MSBP in children should be concerned in cases with complicated severe chief complaints, frequent medical visits, and a strong willing to see a doctor or be hospitalized by their caregivers, but normal physical and auxiliary examination findings.

Pediatric Factitious Disorder Perpetuated by Others: A Dermatologist's Duty Beyond the Skin.

Factitious disorders and factitious disorders imposed on another are a prevalent encounter during dermatology visits. Here, we present a case of a pediatric patient who presented with ulcer-like lesions that, based on initial biopsy, suggested an immunobullous etiology. Further exploration revealed her underlying psychiatric disorder. Dermatologists play an integral role in recognizing and initiating "nervous system" management to establish a level of trust with the patient that will ultimately allow bridging to psychiatric care. The case discussed here serves as an example of the successful diagnosis and treatment of a pediatric psychiatric patient by raising clinical suspicion, using investigative techniques, employing separate interviews and the Patient Health Questionnaire-9, and sensitively addressing the relationship between the patient, guardian, and provider within the dermatology clinic.

A case report and literature review: Factitious disorder imposed on another and malingering by proxy.

Factitious disorder imposed on another (FDIA) and malingering by proxy (MAL-BP) are two forms of underreported child maltreatment that should remain on physicians' differential. This case of a 2-year-old boy, which spans 6 years, reveals the complexity in and difficulties with diagnosis. Key features include the patient's mother using advanced medical jargon to report multiple disconnected concerns and visits to numerous providers. As a result, the patient underwent many investigations which often revealed normal findings. FDIA was suspected by the paediatrician, especially following corroboration with the child's day care and past primary health care provider. This case demonstrates the possible overlap in diagnoses, which are characterized by a lack of consistent presentation and deceitful caregivers, often complicated by true underlying illness. The authors use clinical experience and limited existing literature to empower paediatricians to confidently diagnose and report FDIA and MAL-BP to limit future harm to children.

Medical Child Abuse Hidden in Pediatric Settings: Detection and Intervention.

Medical child abuse, sometimes referred to as Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy or childhood factitious disorder, poses significant diagnostic, intervention, and ethical issues for medical and mental health practitioners alike. Psychologists working in pediatric hospitals and medical clinics should remain mindful of the health and ethical risks posed by these conditions, which are challenging to detect and treat. The surreptitious nature of the conditions and hazards they pose require an integrated medical, psychological, and child protective response. This article provides historical and clinical background on the condition along with tabular guides and recommendations to assist in detection and intervention.

Unexplained destructive nasal lesions in half-brothers: A possible case of Munchausen syndrome by proxy.

Munchausen syndrome by proxy (MSBP) is a condition diagnosed when a caregiver knowingly fabricates or inflicts illness on another for his/her own gain. Typical cases of MSBP detected by otolaryngologists involve facial trauma or otologic injury, while descriptions involving the nose are rare. Destructive nasal lesions have a broad differential diagnosis and may require visits to numerous specialists, placing strain on both the patient and the healthcare system. Early recognition of MSBP in patients with chronic nasal destruction may prevent such unnecessary strain. We present a case of MSBP involving two half-brothers with unexplainable nasal destruction and discuss the literature and current recommendations for managing the diagnosis.

Medical Child Abuse: An Unusual "Source" of Vaginal Bleeding.

BACKGROUND: Medical child abuse (MCA) is challenging to diagnose. Although young children are often affected, adolescents can be victims through caregiver coercion. Presentation is highly variable. Diagnosis is essential because of high associated morbidity and mortality. CASE: We describe the case of a 12-year-old girl who presented to multiple subspecialty clinics with reported menorrhagia. Despite reassuring clinical examinations, the family described menorrhagia that failed to respond to standard treatment. After an urgent evaluation for reported heavy bleeding revealed only scant blood, the diagnosis of MCA was made. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION: Vaginal bleeding is a rare presentation of MCA, but must be considered whenever reported symptomatology does not follow physiologic patterns, respond to standard medical treatment, or correspond to clinical evaluation. Prompt identification is important to prevent further harm.

Disclosure of caregiver-fabricated illness to a child: A team-based approach to communicating with pediatric patients.

Clinical practice guidelines for informing children they have been subjected to caregiver-fabricated illness are highly limited in the current literature. This article addresses this issue by offering an ethically informed, psychological approach to the disclosure of this form of abuse to school-aged children and adolescents who have been significantly harmed. A multidisciplinary, staged model of communication which illustrates that truthful communication with children and their families is a necessary component of the recovery process is proposed.

Fabricated or induced illness in twins associated with insertion of trocar needles into their bodies.

Fabricated and/or induced illness (previously known as Munchausen syndrome by proxy) is a form of child abuse in which the perpetrator induces, exaggerates or fabricates illness in his/her child. Two-month-old twins were referred to the paediatric surgery centre with trocar needles lodged in different organs. A radiograph undertaken in one of them because of acute respiratory distress demonstrated needles in the heart and diaphragm which were removed surgically. The second twin, referred one week after his brother, had a needle deep in his liver and it was decided not to operate owing to the possibility of haemorrhage but, sadly, he died unexpectedly and the autopsy concluded that it was owing to sudden infant death syndrome. Because of a number of admissions to different units in the same hospital, there was a delay in the eventual diagnosis. Recurrent admissions to different hospital units should raise the suspicion of fabricated and/or induced illness.

Cutaneous Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy: A Diagnostic Challenge for Dermatologist.

Munchausen syndrome by proxy (MSBP) is a rare psychiatric disorder of a caregiver (commonly mother) who induces injury or symptoms on victim because of his or her psychiatry illness. The victims are usually under 6 years of age who cannot complain regarding inflicted injury. Diagnosis is challenging to the physician. We came across a 15-month-old girl child, who had consulted various specialists for episodes of blister followed by erosions on body since 6 months of age. Dermatological examination revealed blisters and healed leaf-shaped scars of different sizes which were suggestive of scalds. Smell of different varieties of oils, dribbling of hot oil from body at various intervals, and mother being the first to notice appearance of new skin lesions in all past episodes lead to suspicion of cutaneous MSBP with mother being the culprit. The family members were counselled regarding nature and course of the condition, mother was started on psychotropics, and the child was rescued from mother along with symptomatic treatment of the skin lesions.