A local review of child abuse in Hong Kong: From the perspective of emergency physicians

Abstract

Background: Child abuse occurs all over the world, including Hong Kong. The Accident and Emergency Department is one of the places in which cases of child abuse may present to. Objectives: As an emergency physician in the hospital, we need to understand the signs and symptoms and the risk factors of child abuse. We also need to perform risk assessment and formulate the plan of management. Methods: Databases in Hong Kong were searched to obtain the current situation of child abuse in Hong Kong. Literature about the nature of child abuse was also searched. Results: The epidemiology of child abuse in Hong Kong was reviewed. Signs and symptoms, risk factors, and management of child abuse were summarized in this review article. Conclusion: High vigilance is needed for emergency physicians to pick up cases of child abuse. Most cases of child abuse would finally need assessment from a multidisciplinary team.