The emergence of research related to adverse child experiences, toxic stress and the biological consequences of these problems for adults and children highlights the importance of early recognition and intervention for abused children.
All forms of child maltreatment are an important cause of toxic stress in children, and physical abuse itself can result in high rates of later health problems, from permanent physical disability to a host of behavioral and mental health issues.
To assist pediatricians with identifying and responding to child physical abuse, the AAP Committee on Child Abuse and Neglect has updated the clinical report Evaluation of Suspected Child Physical Abuse published in the May Pediatrics (2015;135:e1337-e1354). The report can help primary care pediatricians learn clinical clues to the diagnosis of abuse and understand specific injuries of concern, appropriate diagnostic tests and considerations, and legal requirements related to mandated reporting of suspected abuse.
[For more of this story, written by Cindy W. Christian, go to http://aapnews.aappublications...ontent/36/5/1.1.full]
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