Emergency Department Guidelines for Suspected Child Abuse

These guidelines are given to medical practioners at the Adelaide Children’s Hospital. They demonstrate how recognition of child abuse is introduced to this group of practioners.

“The index of suspicion must be high”.

We as the front line of this hospital must be aware of parents with the potential to abuse; the child seen by them as sufficiently difficult, who provokes their potential; (it involves all socio-economic groups) and circumstances sufficiently stressful to tip the balance!