Initial experience of child abuse and negligence prevention and follow-up group [Çocuk istismari ve ihmali önleme ve izleme grubu ilk verileri]

Aim: To review patients who had been subjected to child abuse and negligence and identifying cases in which to suspect negligence and abuse. Material and Methods: The records of patients between January 2002 and May 2004 with an average age of 8.87 years, who had been evaluated by the Child Abuse and Negligence Prevention and Follow-up Group, were reviewed retrospectively. Results: 13 cases were admitted to the outpatient clinics while 8 cases were admitted to the emergency department. In 13 cases the child was subjected to abuse by one or both parents. In 2 cases, children were abused by a first degree relative while in 6 cases by a familiar to the child and older in age. In 10 cases, death or divorce of one of parent's, in 3 cases an alcoholic father and in one case a mother with a psychiatric illness were considered as risk factors. Type of abuse: sexual abuse (n: 10) (3M/7F), physical abuse (9), negligence (2). In 3 cases, physical signs suggesting abuse were present. Among the girls who were subjected to sexual abuse, 4 were cases of incest (in 3 cases the father, in one case the grandfather), one was sexually marketed (forced prostitution) by the mother while 2 cases had been sexually assaulted (raped) or harassed by someone outside the family. Of the 9 cases who had been subjected to physical abuse, 4 out of 5 cases whose were below the age of two years had head trauma; 2 of them died and one survived with a neurological squeal. 7 cases were admitted to the Pediatric surgery department, 3 to the Neurosurgery department and 11 cases as follow-up patients at the Pediatrie Psychiatric outpatient clinic. Conclusion: Child abuse and negligence is a condition that should be taken into consideration in younger children who present to the emergency department with life threatening head trauma. Girls are sexually abused mostly by a family member and the repetitive nature and long period of subjectivity makes it an important issue. The number of patients can be increased by increasing recorded data and awareness on this issue.