Is It Child Abuse?

Rib fractures suggest abuse and are a lone finding in 29% of skeletal injury cases.

This child’s mother was worried that these lesions were sexually transmitted. What's your suspicion?

The mother of this 4-year-old girl was concerned that these lesions were sexually transmitted. The physician recognized them as molluscum, but was uncertain of the potential relationship of this rash to child abuse.

The ophthalmologist was not able to rule abuse in or out based on his examination of this infant because of the number of retinal hemorrhages.

Has this teen been abused, or is there another possible explanation?

There is virtually nothing written about this form of injury in the child abuse literature.

This case illustrates 2 key points in doing abuse examinations and 1 frequently encountered point.

A mother presented to the ED with her 3-year-old child asking about an upper respiratory infection and an incidental wound around the child’s neck.

This 4 year-old boy returned home after a day at a small private daycare with a bite mark on his forearm.

The teacher of a 6-year-old noticed suspicious bruises on the child’s leg and notified Children’s Protective Services. Arrangements were made to see the child at school. The social worker noted 2 complete and 2 partial hand imprints on the child.

Ear infection is the most common cause of severe ear pain in young children. Here I offer a few home remedies based on cold and warmth that may help a parent soothe a cranky child.

High fevers; more fatigue; rapid onset of illness... more diagnostic pearls here.

Here are some home treatments I have recommended for children with bronchitis.

West Virginia (the state in which I practice) was not one of the 10 best places to live if you have autism, according to this year’s survey from Autism Speaks. Although thanks to a piece of legislation enacted this month, it is now a better place to live if you have autism. Your state can become better too.

In a conference last week, President Obama announced a new Web site http://stopbullying.gov to help raise awareness about the issue. This is part of an effort to encourage cooperation between government agencies and educators to protect children from bullying based on race, ethnicity, disability, or sexuality. Are you an advocate for prevention? Share your antibullying efforts with colleagues.