Child Abuse

The term of child abuse is involved emotional or physical abuse or neglect, sexual exploitation or molestation by caretakers or other individuals.

Signs and Symptoms of Physical Abuse:

• Bald spots on the scalp
• Unexplained bruises, burns, or fracture
• Apprehensive child
• Fear of parent
• Extreme aggressiveness or withdrawal
• Lack of crying when approached by a stranger

Signs and Symptoms of Physical Neglect:

• Poor hygiene
• Consistent hunger
• Inadequate weight gain
• Constant fatigue
• Inconsistent school attendance
• Delinquency
• Reports of lack of child supervision

Signs and Symptoms of Emotional Abuse:

• Speech disorders
• Psychoneurotic reactions
• Learning disorder
• Suicide attempts
• Habit disorders: sucking, biting, and rocking

Signs and Symptoms of Sexual Abuse:

• Difficulty walking or sitting
• Torn, stained or bloody under-clothing
• Pain swelling or itching of the genitalia
• Poor peer relations
• Bruises, bleeding, or lacerations in the genital or anal area
• Unwillingness to change clothes

Shaken Baby Syndrome:

• Intracranial hemorrhage
• Full bulging fontanelles and head circumference greater than expected

Nursing Interventions:

1. Assess any possible injuries
2. Support the child during a physical assessment
3. Report case of suspected abuse
4. Place the child in an environment that is safe
5. Document the objective manner information
6. Assess parent's strength and weakness in dealing with stress
7. Assist the family in identifying stressor, support systems, and resources
8. Refer the family to appropriate support groups