FETAL ABUSE

The possible occurrence of fetal abuse in expectant mothers has receiv ed little attention in either clinical practice or in research. Five c ases with reported fetal abuse are presented. Each case suffered from depression and four of the five women had unplanned pregnancies and ha d considered a termination of pregnancy. Other possible factors associ ated with fetal abuse included: denial of the pregnancy, ambivalence t owards the pregnancy, previous postpartum depression, and relationship difficulties. Enquiry of possible fetal abuse in pregnant women shoul d be made, particularly if a depressive illness is demonstrated. The r elationship between fetal abuse and subsequent child abuse remains unc lear. Copyright (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.