Serious Head Injury in Infants: Accident or Abuse?

Citation:

Billmire ME, Myers PA: Serious head injury in infants: accident or abuse? Pediatrics 75(2):340-342, February 1985.

Abstract

Notes:

• When clinical findings are few, the diagnosis of abuse may rest upon discrepancies between the history given and the injury incurred.
• Accidental trauma is unlikely to cause intracranial injury in infants. 95% of serious or life-threatening head injuries were the result of child abuse.
• The burden of proof rests on the local protective services and law enforcement agencies. The physician is not required to prove abuse but to report suspected abuse.

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