Evaluating for suspected child abuse: conditions that predispose to bleeding. Pediatrics 2013 Apr;131(4):e1357-73
Date
03/27/2013Pubmed ID
23530171DOI
10.1542/peds.2013-0196Scopus ID
2-s2.0-84875989186 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site) 57 CitationsAbstract
Child abuse might be suspected when children present with cutaneous bruising, intracranial hemorrhage, or other manifestations of bleeding. In these cases, it is necessary to consider medical conditions that predispose to easy bleeding/bruising. When evaluating for the possibility of bleeding disorders and other conditions that predispose to hemorrhage, the pediatrician must consider the child's presenting history, medical history, and physical examination findings before initiating a laboratory investigation. Many medical conditions can predispose to easy bleeding. Before ordering laboratory tests for a disease, it is useful to understand the biochemical basis and clinical presentation of the disorder, condition prevalence, and test characteristics. This technical report reviews the major medical conditions that predispose to bruising/bleeding and should be considered when evaluating for abusive injury.
Author List
Carpenter SL, Abshire TC, Anderst JD, Section on Hematology/Oncology and Committee on Child Abuse and Neglect of the American Academy of PediatricsAuthor
Thomas Abshire MD Emeritus Professor in the Pediatrics department at Medical College of WisconsinMESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
Blood Coagulation DisordersBlood Coagulation Tests
Child
Child Abuse
Contusions
Diagnosis, Differential
Hemorrhage
Hemorrhagic Disorders
Humans
Intracranial Hemorrhages
