FP Week 4 Assignment
Ms90
CHILDABUSE.pdf
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CHILD ABUSE
CHILD ABUSE (BATTERED CHILD SYNDROME)
The battered child is one who suffers repeated hurt (injuries) by one or both parents or guardians. Most of the fatal cases victims are young, over two-third being under three years of age.
PHYSICAL CHILD ABUSE
Injuries willfully inflicted by the parents or custodian of the child. This the most visible form of child abuse.
DIAGNOSTIC FEATURES
Presence of different injuries, produced at different times. Delay treatment. When parent are asked to explain how did the child get these injuries, their answer is always misleading & inconsistent with the clinical findings.
THE IMPULSE OR ANGRY HOMICIDE
The majority of cases child murder fall into this category. The perpetrator is often a husband or boy friend and to a less extent mother.
THE IMPULSE OR ANGRY HOMICIDE
The child crying or dirtying his diaper gives rise to a sudden venting of suppressed anger and frustration by the perpetrator.
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THE IMPULSE OR ANGRY HOMICIDE
Typically child is picked up and thrown across a room or slammed against an object, floor or wall.
THE SHAKEN BABY SYNDROME
This is a pathological entity in infant that is characterized by retinal, subdural and/or subarachnoid hemorrhages caused by severe shaking.
THE SHAKEN BABY SYNDROME
The injuries are due to the whiplash action of the child’s relatively heavy head in association with weak neck muscles; partially membranous skull and relatively large subarachnoid space; and soft immature brain.
OTHER FEATURES
Characteristic trunk & upper limbs contusions. Cerebral contusion. Fracture dislocation of the cervical vertebrae. Laceration of the spinal cord.
OTHER FEATURES
Lacerated internal organs. Fractures at metaphase of the upper limbs my be seen. Diffuse Axonal injury.
ROLE OF ME
Complete autopsy. Examination of alive child suspected of being abused (Clinical Forensic Pathology).
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THE AUTOPSY IN CHILD ABUSE
1. The scene should be visited.
2. The child should be examined in its original clothing where possible.
3. Careful inquiries about any resuscitatory attempts, as they introduce artifacts.
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4. Full radiological skeletal survey before autopsy.
5. Full physical measurement. 6. Full external examination
must be made.
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7. A full photography record must be made.
8. Extensive dissection of subcutaneous tissue is required when ever bruising is seen or suspected.
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9. Full sampling of blood, urine, stomach contents, liver, ocular fluid, and CSF.
10. A full internal dissection of all organs, with full sampling for histopathology.
THANK YOU
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