38.2 EVALUATING MALTREATMENT IN CLINICAL AND FORENSIC PRACTICE

Abstract

Objectives: This session aims to increase awareness of the scope of practice of child abuse pediatrics, including the medical evaluation of suspected abuse, commonly observed injuries, and changes in prevalence and evaluation methods that occurred thus far during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: This presentation will review the medical forensic evaluation of suspected child abuse, the use of alternatives to face-to-face evaluations when feasible, and changes in detection and assessment during the pandemic. Results: Child abuse pediatricians are forensically trained to evaluate injury, work with child protection teams, and assist in legal proceedings to ensure the safety of abused children. Abused children are reported to experience a number of illnesses and disabilities directly related to tissue damage or exposure during the abuse. Child abuse pediatricians review common physical manifestations such as bruises, burns, fractures, and traumatic brain injury and their potential cognitive and medical sequelae. Special attention will be given to adaptations that have been successfully employed during COVID-19 to aid in the detection and response to suspected child abuse. Additionally, we will explore recent trends in reporting and prevalence observed thus far during the pandemic. We will discuss methods that child and adolescent psychiatrists can use to work effectively with child abuse pediatricians and child protection services. Conclusions: Understanding the forensic medical evaluation, as well as shifts observed during COVID-19 in the evaluation and reporting of abuse, will aid child and adolescent psychiatrists in the efforts to collaborate with child abuse pediatricians as they develop appropriate treatment plans that meet the needs of this vulnerable population. TRA, CAN, EBP