A Practical Guide to the Evaluation of Child Physical Abuse and Neglect

"A Practical Guide to the Evaluation of Child Physical Abuse and Neglect is an excellent work of several young and dedicated authors who have studied child abuse and now stand ready to help others. . . . It stresses the recognition and initial management of child abuse . . . and is written clearly and succinctly. It follows a logical pattern that helps the practitioner in what is often a difficult and emotionally charged clinical situation. Although it is a compact reference, it is comprehensive and meticulous in its attention to detail. It is a book that will help the reader. . . . I congratulate the authors on their outstanding accomplishment and the publisher for its continued dedication to helping the helping professionals deal the complex and challenging field of practice. All have helped children and their parents, there can be no more noble or important a goal."

--from the Foreword by Stephen Ludwig, M.D., F.A.A.P.

"This book is a major contribution to the field of child maltreatment, as was its predecessor on sexual abuse. These two comprehensive, concise, up-to-date volumes will be widely used by health care, legal, and social work professionals to guide their work in assessing allegations of abuse and neglect."

--Amy C. Richardson, M.D., Director, Case Western Reserve University

Child Protection Resource Center, Cleveland, Ohio

and Assistant Professor of Pediatrics,

Case Western Reserve University

"A Practical Guide to the Evaluation of Physical Abuse and Neglect" by Angelo Giardino et al. is an exceptionally comprehensive text to guide practitioners in the assessment and understanding of the various aspects of child abuse and neglect. There is an entire chapter dedicated to the general evaluation, with specific how-tos for taking a history, doing the physical examination, and documenting possible injuries. In addition to chapters covering different organ systems, there is a chapter that identifies other patterns of injury not commonly addressed in other standard approaches to child abuse. A wonderful description of a childs′ development as well as child interviewing techniques are included in the psychosocial assessment chapter. The text concludes with a very useful section on legal issues and documentation. This is an excellent book for clinicians and practitioners who have the potential to see children who have been possible victims of physical abuse or neglect."

--Jean C. Smith, M.D., Associate Medical Director, Child Medical Evaluation Program, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill

Your guide to complete and accurate evaluations!

Increase your efficiency and effectiveness in evaluating child physical abuse and neglect using this reference packed with critical information. A Practical Guide to the Evaluation of Child Physical Abuse and Neglect simplifies the evaluation process by providing easy access to the knowledge you need in order to diagnose, evaluate, treat, and provide follow-up care for children who may have been abused. Sensitive to the difficult and often emotionally charged atmosphere facing health care providers involved in suspect cases, the authors have compiled this much needed resource that is meticulous in its attention to the details affecting the performance and documentation of evaluations. Beginning with an overview discussion of child abuse, the guidebook addresses eight specific forms of maltreatment and concludes with coverage of psychosocial assessment and legal issues. Any health care professional who strives toward complete and accurate evaluations will find A Practical Guide to the Evaluation of Child Physical Abuse and Neglect a vital resource.

A Practical Guide to the Evaluation of Child Physical Abuse and Neglect

Second Edition

Edited by Angelo P. Giardino, Michelle Lyn, and Eileen R. Giardino

The impact of child maltreatment on victims, families, and society―from immediate medical care and legal services to long-term mental health care and law enforcement―cannot be understated. And it remains a severe problem in spite of increasing public awareness and stricter laws. To keep up with growing body of professionals staying informed on this subject, the second edition of A Practical Guide to the Evaluation of Child Physical Abuse and Neglect assists the reader in recognizing abuse/neglect (exclusive of sexual abuse) in children and youth, and determining its extent. Illustrated with clinical photographs, the Guide details systematic evaluation procedures, explains the tasks of an evaluation team, and expands and updates the knowledge base in these and other major areas:

• Specific injuries, including burns, bruises, fractures, head and abdominal injuries.
• Malnourishment and other forms of neglect.
• Medical child abuse (previously known as Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy).
• Maltreatment of children with special health care needs.
• Domestic partner violence.
• Prevention strategies, psychosocial assessment, collaborations with law enforcement and the courts, and more.

The new edition of the Practical Guide to the Evaluation of Child Physical Abuse and Neglect offers expert information useful to practitioners across professional domains: public health professionals in maternal and child health and school settings; physicians and nurses; clinical social workers, child psychologists, and school psychologists; attorneys and law enforcement personnel.