Abstract
There were 103 patients with suspected child abuse or neglect reported to the Bureau of Child Welfare (BCW) in 1977 from our hospitals. The predominant form of abuse varied with age: 14 patients were less than 6mo. old with major trauma in 10, including 5 instances of subdural hematomas; 34 patients were 6mo.-3yr.old with significant trauma in 15 and neglect or failure to thrive in 11; 39 patients were 3-12 yr. old including 10 instances of sexual abuse; 16 patients were 12-18 yr. old with 8 instances of parent inflicted trauma as a result of an argument.
28% of the patients came from families with a prior record with BCW. Alcohol and/or drugs were associated with the abuse in 20% of patients. An apparent psychiatric disorder was present in one or both parents in 26% of the cases. Significantly, 43% of patients less than six mo. of age had parents with psychiatric problems. Patients were returned home by BCW in 87 instances and placed with relatives or foster care in 12 cases. Follow up indicated that 21% had no positive change in their families or environment which would prevent future abuse or neglect.
This study of urban poor suggests that: 1-there is a high incidence of psychiatric disorders in the families of abused children; 2-sexual abuse is common in the childhood age; and 3-child abuse is a chronic disorder with a recurrence rate of 20-30% as a result of inadequate resources for treatment and prevention.
Article PDF
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Fleischman, A., Grant, C., Zoff, C. et al. 42 CHILD ABUSE IN AN URBAN POPULATION. Pediatr Res 12 (Suppl 4), 370 (1978). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197804001-00047
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197804001-00047