Study finds Minor Injuries preceding Infant Abuse

A new study finds relatively minor abusive injuries can precede more severe physical abuse in infants. Researchers at Children’s Hospital tracked the prevalence of such injuries, called sentinel injuries, in infants. The study found previous sentinel injuries are common in infants with severe physical abuse and rare in infants evaluated for abuse and found to not be abused. Study author Dr. Lynn Sheets gives details.  “Infants who are not yet cruising when they have a bruise or a small mouth injury the medical provider should seriously consider whether or not that infant has been abused.” First comes cruising then bruising, adds Dr. Sheets.  “Infants who are not yet pulling to a stand and taking a few steps usually have no bruises or mouth injuries at all and when we see them that should at least raise a concern.” When bruises are seen on infants who are not yet cruising then alarms should be raised, concludes Dr. Sheets. “When bruising is seen on physical exam or when there is a history, in other words, somebody remembers that there was a bruise in a child before they were able to cruise or become mobile that abuse should be seriously considered by the doctor and by the family.” The study on sentinel injuries appears in the journal “Pediatrics”.