Pediatric Physical Abuse
Physical abuse is when a child becomes injured due to intentional body contact.
What is Pediatric Physical Abuse?
Physical abuse includes acts like hitting, punching, slapping or choking. Physical abuse can be done by anyone the child meets at any time or location.
What are the signs and symptoms of Pediatric Physical Abuse?
Emotional signs and physical symptoms of the abuse often go hand in hand, but will differ between age groups and situations. They include:
- Drug or alcohol abuse
- Afraid to shower or get changed
- Aggressive physical or sexual behavior
- Anxious or clingy
- Bruises, broken bones and multiple unexplained injuries
- Convulsions (seizures sometimes associated with head trauma)
- Delayed development
- Depression
- Eating disorders
- Falling asleep in class
- Harms him or herself
- Impaired mobility (trouble moving)
- Keeps to him or herself
- Nightmares or problems sleeping
- Obsessive or risk-taking behavior
- Refuses to be touched or jumpy
- Pain
- Soils clothes or wets the bed
- Sudden change in behavior
Pediatric Physical Abuse Doctors and Providers
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Suzanne Dakil, MD PediatricianAssistant Professor at UT Southwestern Medical CenterRead Suzanne Dakil's Full ProfileSuzanne Dakil, MDPediatrician
Board Certification:
American Board of Pediatrics -
Kristen Reeder, MD PediatricianAssistant Instructor at UT Southwestern Medical CenterRead Kristen Reeder's Full ProfileKristen Reeder, MDPediatrician
Board Certification:
American Board of Pediatrics -
Mohsin Khan, MD Pediatric PsychiatristAssistant Professor at UT Southwestern Medical CenterRead Mohsin Khan's Full ProfileMohsin Khan, MDPediatric Psychiatrist
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Lisa Schuster, PhD Pediatric PsychologistRead Lisa Schuster's Full ProfileLisa Schuster, PhDPediatric Psychologist