Hospitalization of abused and neglected children
W. N. Marshall Jr
Department of Pediatrics, University of Arizona College of Medicine, Tucson, USA.
OBJECTIVE: To describe the use of inpatient hospitalization for abused and
neglected children living in a metropolitan area. METHODS: Retrospective
record review of abused and neglected children admitted in 1992 and 1993 to
hospitals with 87% of metropolitan area pediatric admissions; comparison of
these data with population, crisis nursery, and child protective services
data. RESULTS: Thirty-four abused and neglected children were admitted to
hospital, representing 0.3% (34/11,066; 95% confidence interval, 0%-1.2%)
of pediatric admissions and 0.2% (34/19,950; 95% confidence interval,
0%-0.6%) of child protective services reports. This represents a rate of
hospitalization for child abuse of 10 children (95% confidence interval,
0-46) per 100,000 child population per year. Seven hundred fifteen children
were admitted to the crisis nursery by child protective services. Of those
admitted to the hospital, 12 needed intensive care, 5 of whom died. Only 3
of 34 hospital-admitted children had private health insurance; 19 of 34
were younger than 1 year. CONCLUSIONS: Inpatient hospitalization for abuse
represented a small fraction of total pediatric admissions and of child
protective services reports. Comprehensive medical care for most abused
children and medical education about child abuse must occur in outpatient
settings.
