Title: Overview of Child Maltreatment - Pediatrics - Merck Manuals Professional Edition
Headings: Overview of Child Maltreatment
Overview of Child Maltreatment
(Child Abuse)
General reference
Classification
Physical abuse
Sexual abuse
Emotional abuse
Abuse in a medical setting
Neglect
Cultural factors
Etiology
Abuse
Neglect
Symptoms and Signs
Physical abuse
Pearls & Pitfalls
Sexual abuse
Emotional abuse
Neglect
Symptoms and signs reference
Diagnosis
Physical abuse
Sexual abuse
Emotional abuse and neglect
Diagnosis references
Treatment
Immediate safety
Follow-up
Removal from the home
Prevention
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Content: In toddlers, abdominal injury is also common. Infants and toddlers are the most vulnerable because the developmental stages that they may go through (eg, colic, inconsistent sleep patterns, temper tantrums, toilet training) may frustrate caregivers. This age group is also at increased risk because they cannot report their abuse. The risk declines in the early school years. Sexual abuse
Any action with a child that is done for the sexual gratification of an adult or significantly older child constitutes sexual abuse (see Pedophilic Disorder ). Forms of sexual abuse include intercourse, which is oral, anal, or vaginal penetration; molestation, which is genital contact without intercourse; and forms that do not involve physical contact by the perpetrator, including exposure of the perpetrator's genitals, showing sexually explicit material to a child, and forcing a child to participate in a sex act with another child or to participate in the production of sexual material. Sexual abuse does not include sexual play, in which children close in age view or touch each other’s genital area without force or coercion. The guidelines that differentiate sexual abuse from play vary from state to state, but in general sexual contact between individuals with a > 4 year (chronologically, or in mental or physical development) age difference is considered to be inappropriate.