Physical findings, patient history, laboratory data, and your observations of the\u00a0child may indicate that the child has been abused.<\/p>\n
a. Physical Findings<\/strong>. Look for the following:<\/p>\n (1) Multiple fractures of the extremities. Fractures of the arms and\/or legs in\u00a0different stages of healing usually indicate that the child has been abused. A\u00a0radionuclide bone scan should be done to detect recent fractures.<\/p>\n (2) Multiple bruises and abrasions. Look especially around the child’s trunk\u00a0and buttocks. Be particularly suspicious if there are old bruises in addition to fresh\u00a0ones. Also, check the child’s head and face because 50 percent of physical child abuse\u00a0injuries are to the head and face.<\/p>\n (3) Multiple soft tissue injuries. A child who has had a bottle forced into its\u00a0mouth will have multiple soft tissue injuries around the mouth. There will be bruises\u00a0around the child’s mouth.<\/p>\n (4) Burns. Look for the round circles made by cigarette burns. Hot water\u00a0poured on infants will cause scald burns.<\/p>\n b. Child’s Medical History<\/strong>. A child who has been in several emergency rooms\u00a0recently for related complaints may be a victim of abuse. In a military hospital, check\u00a0the child’s medical records. Additionally, a child brought in for treatment of an injury\u00a0which occurred several days ago may have been abused.<\/p>\n c. Laboratory Reports for the Child<\/strong>. A complete physical examination\u00a0containing laboratory tests and reports will sometimes provide the first medical evidence\u00a0that an unreported injury has occurred to the child in the past. For instance, if you\u00a0suspect that a child under 3 years of age has been abused, a nuclear scan of the child’s\u00a0bones may be revealing. X-ray films may not reveal recent injuries which have begun to\u00a0heal. A nuclear scan of the child’s bone structure will show such injuries. CT scans are\u00a0usually taken for children with head injuries. Conventional X-ray films should also be\u00a0taken of the head because CT scans may miss skull fractures.<\/p>\n d. Your Observations<\/strong>. Observe the child carefully. The person who brings in a\u00a0physically abused child rarely gives a clear and honest explanation of the acts that\u00a0produced the injury. Additionally, the adult who brings the child in may have either\u00a0waited several days or taken the child to other medical facilities for treatment. Since\u00a0what you are told about how the injury happened may not be correct and since the\u00a0injury may not have just occurred, it is very important for you to observe the child. Your\u00a0detection of the nature of the child’s injuries is vital in starting proper treatment.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Physical findings, patient history, laboratory data, and your observations of the\u00a0child may indicate that the child has been abused. a. Physical Findings. Look for the following: (1) Multiple fractures of the extremities. Fractures of the arms and\/or legs in\u00a0different stages of healing usually indicate that the child has been abused. A\u00a0radionuclide bone scan should be … Continue reading 4-06. CIRCUMSTANCES THAT AROUSE SUSPICION OF CHILD ABUSE<\/span>