Frequency of Injuries in a Voluntary Program Evaluating Young Children Exposed to Intimate Partner Violence

Overview

Journal Child Abuse Negl

Specialty Pediatrics

Date 2023 Aug 4

PMID 37541095

Authors

Gunjan Tiyyagura

John M Leventhal

Destanee Crawley

Andrea G Asnes

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Objective: Intimate partner violence (IPV) affects 1 in 4 American women, and physical child abuse is reported to occur in 10-67 % of homes with IPV. Routine evaluation of physical abuse in IPV-exposed children is neither widespread nor informed by clinical guidelines. Thus, the true frequency of detectable injuries in IPV-exposed children remains unknown. The purpose of this study was to examine the frequency of injuries in children <3-years-old reported for IPV to a regional child protective services (CPS) office.

Methods: In this prospective observational study, we reviewed encounters of children whose caregivers agreed to an evaluation for injuries (physical exam and imaging, if indicated) from July 2019-June 2022. Children were included if: 1) a CPS investigator referred a child for evaluation for injuries ("non-acute" evaluation) or 2) a child presented immediately after an IPV incident ("acute" evaluation).

Results: Of 326 children <3-years-old reported to the CPS office after IPV exposure, 90 (27.6 %) were evaluated: 81(90 %) presented for a non-acute evaluation, and 21(23 %) were reported to have sustained trauma during the IPV event. Of the 90 children evaluated, 3 (3.3 %, 95 % CI 0.7-9.4) were found to have cutaneous injuries, fractures, and/or intracranial findings. Each was <6-months old and had an "acute" evaluation.

Conclusion: In this study of children reported to CPS for IPV exposure, a small percentage was found to have injuries. A multi-center study that examines the frequency of and factors that increase the risk of abusive injuries in IPV-exposed children may ensure that testing targets children at highest risk.

Citing Articles

Acceptability and feasibility of trauma- and violence-informed care for intimate partner violence.

Tiyyagura G, Leventhal J, Schaeffer P, Gawel M, Crawley D, Frechette A Child Abuse Negl. 2024; 157:107068.

PMID: 39332141 PMC: 11512670. DOI: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2024.107068.

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