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Current Approaches to Screening for Child Physical Abuse and Abusive Head Trauma

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Abstract  

Purpose of Review

To identify and summarize the characteristics and performance of published child abuse screening tools.

Recent Findings

Many victims of child abuse had been previously evaluated by a provider for injuries due to abuse but were not recognized as such at the time. Even in high-risk scenarios, providers do not always screen for child abuse.

Summary

Many screening tools have been developed, including ones embedded in electronic health records, that can prompt consideration for further child abuse evaluation as well as standardize the approach, leading to provider comfort and bias mitigation. Identifying child abuse earlier can lead to quicker intervention, reducing its morbidity and mortality.

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References  

Papers of particular interest, published recently, have been highlighted as: • Of importance •• Of major importance

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Nationwide Children’s Hospital, 700 Children’s Drive, Columbus, OH, 43205, USA

    Dena Lowing

  2. Division of Child and Family Advocacy, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, 655 E Livingston Ave, Columbus, OH, 43205, USA

    Farah W. Brink & Kristin Garton Crichton

  3. The Ohio State University College of Medicine, 370 W 9Th Ave, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA

    Farah W. Brink & Jonathan I. Groner

  4. Department of Surgery, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, 700 Children’s Drive, Columbus, OH, 43205, USA

    Jonathan I. Groner

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  3. Jonathan I. Groner
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  4. Kristin Garton Crichton
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Correspondence to Dena Lowing.

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Lowing, D., Brink, F.W., Groner, J.I. et al. Current Approaches to Screening for Child Physical Abuse and Abusive Head Trauma. Curr Trauma Rep 9, 91–100 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40719-023-00257-5

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