Child Abuse
Alternate Names : Physical Abuse, Neglect, Sexual Abuse, Emotional Abuse
What are the signs and symptoms of the injury?
Children who have been abused often have a variety of psychological
problems and symptoms. Therefore, no single symptom will necessarily indicate
that abuse has occurred. Many symptoms of abuse are also symptoms of other disorders
or problems. For this reason, it is extremely important
to have the child evaluated by an experienced healthcare provider.
Emotional and behavioral symptoms of child abuse may include:
acting out sexually
aggressive or violent behavior
anxiety
delay in developmental milestones
depression
feelings of guilt and shame
frequent mood swings
low self-esteem
paranoid thoughts
problems in relating to peers
school and academic problems
self-destructive or suicidal
behaviors
sleep problems and nightmares
social withdrawal
The following physical symptoms may result from child abuse:
bleeding into the retina or the conjunctiva of the eye
blood in the urine
bone fractures
burns
failure to achieve expected or normal weight and height growth
frequent urinary tract
infections
multiple bruises,
often at various stages of healing
rectal or vaginal irritation or discharge
sudden and severe abdominal
pain
unexplained cuts, swelling, and
bruises
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