Assessment Of Suspected Child Abuse Cases At Pediatric Psychiatry Clinic, Medicolegal Study

Abstract

Background: Child abuse is still a major public health problem, especially in developing countries. The current study aims to assess suspected child abuse cases regarding the abuse type, its different patterns, and its relation to children's psychiatric disorders Materials and Methods: The current study is a prospective and retrospective cross-sectional statistical study conducted on suspected child abuse cases at the psychiatric outpatient clinic. All children suspected to be abused were included in this study. Parents were asked a prepared questionnaire about child abuse and their possible parental risk factors. Results: All children in this study were exposed to both emotional and physical abuse and only 10 cases were exposed to sexual abuse. Out of 360 children, 71.9% were males, 60% were in school age, and children with Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD) were more abused and so the first child in the family. The more abusing families were of married parents, from urban areas, and had low income. Less-educated parents, working fathers, and nonworking mothers were common abusers. Substance abuse, smoking, and parental history of childhood abuse were significant risk factors for abuse. Conclusion: This study showed that physical and emotional abuse were common and significantly related to child psychiatric disease.