Unfortunately, child abuse is often missed by medical doctors and professionals. This can put the child at an increased risk of repeated injury, and even death.
A recent study conducted by the American Academy of Pediatrics looks into the screening of child abuse in the emergency department. According to the Pediatric Health Information System hospital, among the children that were 24 months and younger, the rate of abuse diagnosis was 0.17 percent.
What else did the study reveal?
Researchers found that sentinel injuries were associated with physical abuse and that further routine testing needs to happen to help improve early recognition of abuse.
Listen in as Madeline Matar Joseph, MD, joins Dr. Leigh to discuss child abuse screening in the ER.