pediatrics
Overview of Child Maltreatment
Prevention of Child Maltreatment
Prevention of maltreatment should be a part of every well-child office visit through education of parents, caregivers, and children and identification of risk factors. At-risk families should be referred to appropriate community services. Parents who were victims of maltreatment are at increased risk of abusing their own children. These parents sometimes verbalize anxiety about their abusive background and are amenable to assistance. First-time parents and teenage parents as well as parents with several children<5 years of age are also at increased risk of abusing their children. Often, maternal risk factors for abuse are identified prenatally (eg, a mother who smokes, has a substance use disorder, has a history of domestic violence). Medical problems during pregnancy, delivery, or early infancy that may affect the health of the mother and/or the infant can weaken parent-infant bonding ( see also Caring for Sick Neonates ). During such times it is important to elicit the parents’ feelings about themselves and the infant’s well-being. How well can they tolerate an infant with many needs or health demands? Do the parents give moral and physical support to each other? Are there relatives or friends to help in times of need? The health care practitioner who is alert to clues and able to provide support can make a major impact on the family and possibly prevent child maltreatment. 