A battered child

Abstract

A six year old girl was brought by her mother to see a local doctor for advice on placement in school and behaviour problem. There was an inconsistent history of fracture of left femur at four years old. Physical examination revealed numerous scars on the neck and body. There was a linear, two inch scar of a deep incised wound on her right forearm. The doctor referred the child to a hospital for the management of her presenting problems and suspected battered child syndrome. Management included an evaluation of the physical, social and psychological aspects of the child, the personality and behavior of the mother and the child's environment, viz. her father, her siblings, their family interaction and the social environment.