Table of Contents

ABSTRACT

Medical neglect (MN) is defined as the failure of a caretaker (1) to heed obvious signs of serious illness, (2) to seek medical care in a timely fashion, or (3) to follow instructions once medical advice is obtained. It is reportable as a form of child maltreatment (CM). At the opposite end of the care spectrum, medical child abuse (MCA) (previously referred to as Munchausen syndrome by proxy [MSBP]), occurs when parents exaggerate, invent, or induce symptoms in their children and seek unnecessary medical care for them. Both of these conditions result in inadequate medical care for the child, with attendant harm to growth, development and even life itself. Recognizing and responding to both is an important part of medical practice.

Keywords: Medical neglect, medical child abuse, Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy