Table of Contents

ABSTRACT

Using a disease model, child maltreatment can be thought of as the second most common chronic disease of childhood. Pediatricians as well as others who care for children should be knowledgeable about its epidemiology, presentation for care, medical management and prevention in health care. In addition, the suspicion and diagnosis of child abuse as well as neglect carries legal obligations for reporting and cooperation with the governmental child protection system. This paper provides an overview of these important health care functions as they apply to child abuse and neglect in general with particular information to guide primary care practice for children. Basic principles are provided with the hope that the reader will continue to later chapters with more detailed descriptions of medical practice depending on the type of maltreatment under consideration, the population, and the manifestations being seen in the office or the hospital.

Keywords: Child abuse, child neglect, maltreatment, epidemiology, disease model