Child abuse in Turkey: an experience in overcoming denial and a description of 50 cases

Objective: To share the experiences of the first clinical multidisciplinary child abuse and neglect (CAN) team in Turkey with international child abus e community. Methods: The authors established the first Turkish CAN follow-up team at Dr . Behcet Uz Children's Hospital. Following a training program in five teach ing hospitals in Izmir, the authors kept a record of every case diagnosed w ith CAN from these hospitals between 1996 and 1998. The demographic, epidem iologic, and medical features of this case series are summarized. Results: Fifty cases were diagnosed and followed-up. Seventy-six percent of patients were reported from Dr. Behcet Uz Children's Hospital. Age and sex distribution was 9.2 +/- 6.7 years and 46% male, 54% female, respectively. The offenders were only father in 38%, only mother in 28%, and multiple in 34%. More than three CAN risk factors were present in 94%. Of the children reported 44% survived, 14% died, and 42% were lost to follow-up. Sixteen p ercent were free of reabuse, and 42% survived with handicaps. Conclusions: Child abuse and neglect is a reality in Turkey. The team's wor k increased pediatricians' awareness of CAN. Reporting these cases to Socia l Affairs Bureau was established for the first time in Turkey. Physicians i n Turkey need training to diagnose and properly report CAN. The implementat ion of a national CAN prevention program is an urgent need for Turkey. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.