THE SPECTRUM OF CHILD-ABUSE PRESENTING TO A UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL IN RIYADH

Background: Child abuse is prevalent worldwide, although it is often u nderreported. We describe the pattern of child abuse and neglect prese nting to the emergency room of our hospital, the sociocultural changes which brought this about, and suggest ways to deal with this emotiona lly sensitive issue. Patients and Methods: Thirteen cases of child abu se and neglect were seen in the emergency room of King Khalid Universi ty Hospital over a period of one year from July 1996 to June 1997. The re were four cases of non-accidental injury, three of which had seriou s injury. There were three cases of sexual abuse, four cases of neglec t, resulting in the death of one child and severe emaciation in anothe r. There was one suspected case of Munchausen syndrome by proxy, and o ne case of child labor with neglect. Conclusion: Public awareness of t he problem of child abuse has increased, and recent media reports refl ect the significance accorded to the issue. As more information is obt ained on this subject and policies and guidelines are set in place, ef forts at reporting and preventing physical and psychological trauma wi ll gather momentum.