NCJ Number
237020
Journal
Child Abuse & Neglect Volume: 35 Issue: 11 Dated: November 2011 Pages: 930-936
Date Published
November 2011
Length
7 pages
Annotation
This study investigated the incidence, clinical features, and demographic characteristics of children who presented with head injury secondary to suspected child maltreatment in Canada.
Abstract
Findings from the study show that between March 1, 2005, and February 28, 2008, pediatricians and pediatric specialists in Canada reported 220 confirmed cases of head injury resulting from suspected child maltreatment. Seventy-three percent of the cases involved children under the age, while 52 percent of the cases involved children less than 6 months of age. The incidence rate for children under 1 year was 14.1 per 100,000 compared to 1.4 per 100,000 for children between the ages of 1 and 15. Of the 220 confirmed cases, 12 percent resulted in death from the injuries, while 45 percent suffered neurological damage at discharge. This study investigated the incidence, clinical features, and demographic characteristics of children who presented with head injury secondary to suspected child maltreatment at doctor's offices and hospital emergency rooms in Canada. Data for the study were obtained from cases reported to the Canadian Pediatric Surveillance Program between March 2005 and February 2008. The findings present an estimate of the rate of head injury in children resulting from suspected child maltreatment and indicate the need for improved prevention efforts by child welfare authorities for parents and caregivers involved with the child welfare system. Tables and references