Cutaneous manifestations of child abuse and neglect: Part I.

Abstract

Child abuse and neglect remains a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in children. Dermatologists may not fully conceptualize their crucial role in the evaluation of child abuse and neglect as both mandated reporters and experts in skin pathology. This CME article summarizes the current information on cutaneous signs and clinical signs of abuse for dermatologists so that they gain more insight into the skin examination for child abuse and neglect, develop confidence in their ability to distinguish dermatologic signs of accidental versus inflicted trauma, and more frequently consider abuse and neglect in their differential diagnosis.