EVALUATING CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE IN THE EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT - CLINICAL AND BEHAVIORAL INDICATORS

Child sexual abuse is an increasingly common problem. This article rev iews the current clinical and behavioral indicators that will aid the emergency physician when evaluating and managing this condition. The m ost common differential diagnoses are described and a general approach to this diagnosis is suggested. Adopting a multidisciplinary method w hen evaluating this problem will lessen the anxiety facing the examini ng physician and provide a better outcome for the child, parents, and community.