Abstract

FERNANDEZ COUCE, Gladys  and  PEREA CORRAL, Jesús. Physical child abuse in patients diagnosed at “Juan M. Márquez” Pediatric Hospital, 1996-1998. Rev Cubana Pediatr [online]. 2004, vol.76, n.4, pp. 0-0. ISSN 1561-3119.

A descriptive study was conducted from October 1996 to October 1998 at “Juan M. Márquez” Pediatric Hospital aimed at identifying the behavior of child abuse in a sample of 81 children with diagnosis of intentional or not physical abuse. Child abuse predominated in children under one year old (38.2 %) and the mother was related to abuse in infants in 71.0 % of the cases. Head injuries were observed in 49.4 % and they were severe in 27patients (33.3 %). The explanation of how the injury occurred was not consistent with the signs detected in 21 cases (25.9 %). Abuse was reported by 15 children (18.5 %). Ecchymosis was present in 33 children, accounting for 40.7 %. 60.4 % required hospitalization and 4 children died (1.4 per 10 000 admitted children). In this study, the infants were vulnerable to physical abuse by the mother and when the clinical injuries are not in the foreseeable range according to age, abuse is suspected and that's why an adequate cross-examination is important.

Keywords : Child physical abuse; child abuse.