Identification and management of child abuse and neglect

Child abuse and neglect, collectively known as maltreatment, is common, and most healthcare providers who care for children will encounter some form of maltreatment in their practice.1 Common presentations include physical abuse, sexual abuse and commercial sexual exploitation of children, and neglect.

In this article, we make recommendations for frontline healthcare providers on identifying child maltreatment and making evidence based assessments in primary care and emergency department settings. While presentations of maltreatment may be similar internationally, the subsequent investigation and management recommendations vary according to culture, legislation, income classification, and resources. We discuss broad principles with respect to recognition and subsequent escalation and reporting to child welfare authorities or social services, largely in keeping with North American and European settings. If raising concerns about a child’s welfare, we recommend all healthcare providers consult local laws and statutes in the first instance.