Abusive head trauma, healthcare, and childhood professionals’ lack of knowledge is detrimental to the child's interest

Abstract

ObjectiveTo assess the knowledge of professionals on abusive head trauma (AHT) and shaking so as to adapt their training and thus promote the improvement of AHT screening and prevention. MethodA questionnaire was developed on the knowledge of the intensity of movement, the frequency of repetition, the existence and progression of sequelae over time, the legal nature of AHT as a criminal offence leading to the possibility of compensation, and the existence of HAS (French National Authority for Health) recommendations on shaken baby diagnosis and legal consequences. ResultsOver a 4-year period 311 physicians, 123 magistrates, and 644 early childhood professionals responded to the questionnaire as an introduction to a course on AHT. Whatever the professional field, incorrect answers (wrong or “I don’t know”) were frequent as to the possibility that play could induce AHT lesions (51–58%), the violence of the act (43–52%), the repetition of shaking (58–82.5%), the presence of side effects (52–58%), and the existence of recommendations to professionals (48–58.5%). Twenty to 47% of physicians and early childhood professionals were unaware that shaking a baby was a criminal offence and 20–27% were unaware that AHT required a report to the judicial authorities. Discussion/ConclusionThis lack of knowledge about AHT is detrimental to the child. The improvement of initial and continuing education is necessary to help reduce the dysfunctions existing in the care of child victims of AHT.