Child abuse and neglect: diagnosis and management.

BACKGROUND

The findings of studies on the frequency of violence against children imply that many cases go undetected.

METHODS

Selective literature review based on a search of different databases for publications on all types of violence against children, except sexual abuse.

RESULTS

The physical abuse of children can involve blunt trauma, thermal injury, and the so-called shaking trauma syndrome (STS). Physical and psychological child neglect have very serious long-term effects. It can be difficult to draw a clear distinction of child abuse and neglect on the one hand, and acceptable behavior on the other, because of the varying social acceptance of certain child-raising practices. Münchhausen's syndrome by proxy (MSbP) is a rare, special type of child abuse.

CONCLUSION

At the beginning of the 21(st) century, well-established normative structures are in place to protect children against abuse and neglect, and the available help from social organizations can also have a preventive effect. Further improvements will depend on interdisciplinary coordination and better training of specialists in all of the involved disciplines.