Review Article
Review Article Physical signs of child abuse K. Archana1, K. R. Don2* ABSTRACT Physical abuse is nonaccidental physical injury (ranging from minor bruises to severe fractures or death) as a result of punching, beating, kicking, biting, shaking, throwing, stabbing, choking, hitting (with a hand, stick, strap, or other object), burning, or otherwise harming a child, which is inflicted by a parent, caregiver, or other person who has responsibility for the child. Such injury is considered abuse regardless of whether the caregiver intended to hurt the child. This article reviews the causes, physical signs and symptoms, risk factors, exams and tests, and prevention and treatment of child abuse. KEY WORDS: Identification, Physical child abuse, Prevention and treatment, Signs and symptoms INTRODUCTION Physical abuse involves physical aggression such as hitting, shaking, throwing, poisoning, burning or Child abuse or maltreatment constitutes all forms of scalding, drowning, suffocating, or otherwise causing physical and/or emotional ill-treatment, sexual abuse, physical harm to a child.[4] neglect or negligent treatment or commercial or other exploitation, resulting in actual or potential harm to Sexual abuse is defined as any sexual act, overt or the child’s health, survival, development or dignity in covert, between a child and an adult (or older child, the context of a relationship of responsibility, and trust where the younger child’s participation is obtained or power.[1] through seduction or coercion). Irrespective of how childhood sexual abuse is defined it generally has Child maltreatment is a considerable social and significant negative and pervasive psychological public health problem in the United States.
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