Neglect of chronically ill children
P. K. Jaudes and L. J. Diamond
Child neglect is the most prevalent form of maltreatment; more children die
of neglect than of abuse. Neglect has been found to be more prevalent than
physical abuse among the population of children with chronic illnesses.
Data from a retrospective chart review illustrate the ways in which neglect
affected 61 children with chronic illnesses. Types of neglect include
medical care neglect, educational neglect, abandonment, emotional neglect,
and physical neglect. The state Child Protection Agency was notified of
neglect in 67 instances. Two children died subsequent to neglect. Sixteen
children were abandoned; 12 of these children were abandoned in the
hospital. More than half (37) of the reports resulted in change of custody
for these children. All of these children suffered from short-term
morbidity and some from long-term morbidity due to neglect. Neglect can be
a serious and consequential problem for children with chronic illness.
