2.2: Symptoms of Physical Abuse
- Page ID
- 215416
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\(\newcommand{\avec}{\mathbf a}\) \(\newcommand{\bvec}{\mathbf b}\) \(\newcommand{\cvec}{\mathbf c}\) \(\newcommand{\dvec}{\mathbf d}\) \(\newcommand{\dtil}{\widetilde{\mathbf d}}\) \(\newcommand{\evec}{\mathbf e}\) \(\newcommand{\fvec}{\mathbf f}\) \(\newcommand{\nvec}{\mathbf n}\) \(\newcommand{\pvec}{\mathbf p}\) \(\newcommand{\qvec}{\mathbf q}\) \(\newcommand{\svec}{\mathbf s}\) \(\newcommand{\tvec}{\mathbf t}\) \(\newcommand{\uvec}{\mathbf u}\) \(\newcommand{\vvec}{\mathbf v}\) \(\newcommand{\wvec}{\mathbf w}\) \(\newcommand{\xvec}{\mathbf x}\) \(\newcommand{\yvec}{\mathbf y}\) \(\newcommand{\zvec}{\mathbf z}\) \(\newcommand{\rvec}{\mathbf r}\) \(\newcommand{\mvec}{\mathbf m}\) \(\newcommand{\zerovec}{\mathbf 0}\) \(\newcommand{\onevec}{\mathbf 1}\) \(\newcommand{\real}{\mathbb R}\) \(\newcommand{\twovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\ctwovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\threevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cthreevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\mattwo}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{rr}#1 \amp #2 \\ #3 \amp #4 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\laspan}[1]{\text{Span}\{#1\}}\) \(\newcommand{\bcal}{\cal B}\) \(\newcommand{\ccal}{\cal C}\) \(\newcommand{\scal}{\cal S}\) \(\newcommand{\wcal}{\cal W}\) \(\newcommand{\ecal}{\cal E}\) \(\newcommand{\coords}[2]{\left\{#1\right\}_{#2}}\) \(\newcommand{\gray}[1]{\color{gray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\lgray}[1]{\color{lightgray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\rank}{\operatorname{rank}}\) \(\newcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\col}{\text{Col}}\) \(\renewcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\nul}{\text{Nul}}\) \(\newcommand{\var}{\text{Var}}\) \(\newcommand{\corr}{\text{corr}}\) \(\newcommand{\len}[1]{\left|#1\right|}\) \(\newcommand{\bbar}{\overline{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bhat}{\widehat{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bperp}{\bvec^\perp}\) \(\newcommand{\xhat}{\widehat{\xvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\vhat}{\widehat{\vvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\uhat}{\widehat{\uvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\what}{\widehat{\wvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\Sighat}{\widehat{\Sigma}}\) \(\newcommand{\lt}{<}\) \(\newcommand{\gt}{>}\) \(\newcommand{\amp}{&}\) \(\definecolor{fillinmathshade}{gray}{0.9}\)Symptoms of physical abuse
Physical abuse is often identified, particularly in younger children, by medical professionals when the child arrives with symptoms that do not match the story provided. The location and type of bruises, particularly on the backs of legs, chest, neck, head, genitals, upper arms and other areas that a child would not bruise by a typical fall, are a red flag to medical professionals. Bruises that look like an imprint from a hanger, palm, knuckles, etc. may also be indicative of abuse. Bruises change color as they age; it is fairly easy to identify if there are consistent patterns of older bruises with newer bruises. This is another telltale sign that a child may be abused. Beyond bruises, fractures of bones are often a sign of abuse. In children under one year of age, a fracture is almost always indicative of abuse. The type of fracture and the location, as well as the numerous fractures that may be partially healed, may indicate repetitive abuse. When the parent says a child fell off the bike or down the stairs, but the injuries look like the child was thrown against something, physicians must report the inconsistencies.
"Bruise on wrong side of leg" by Thirteen Of Clubs is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.
Head injuries are always a concern. Hematomas (pooling of blood around the surface area of the brain) and subdural hematomas (blood pooling between the brain and the tissue surrounding the brain) can be caused by severe shaking, being slapped and the head snapping, or being thrown against something hard. Other types of hematoma may result in vomiting or losing consciousness, and can be equally deadly. Other soft tissue damage, such as the abdomen, liver, spleen, intestines kidney or bladder injuries, etc., may be indicative of the child being hit with force. Shaken baby syndrome occurs when a child is shaken or thrown with force against a wall. Even if the child does not die, the jarring of their brain can cause neurological damage, eye damage, breathing problems, and may cause a child to become vegetative. Children’s heads are dis-proportional to the size of their bodies, and must be supported; shaking a baby can do irreparable damage.
Image created in Canva by WHCCD Library and under no copyright.
Burns are another area that medical professionals often see. Burns are often in areas that might be covered by clothing, and may be inflicted by cigarettes, a hot stove, hot water, etc. Young children’s skin is thinner and more sensitive than adult skin. At 140°F, the average temperature of most hot water heaters, scalding can occur in five seconds or less. Burns that have patterns or look like an item was heated and put on the child are usually signs of abuse.