PROTECTING CHILDREN FROM ABUSE AND NEGLECT – PEDIATRIC APPROACH

Child abuse and neglect includes physical, sexual, emotional abuse, neglect and exploitation of children, which lead to damage to the health or threaten the dignity of the child. It is also generally referred to as violence against children. Four groups of factors are most often mentioned (parental characteristics, sociocultural factors, environmental factors and child factors) that increase the risk of child abuse and neglect. There are no characteristic anamnestic data and clinical signs of abuse, but there are data and signs that can indicate this problem with high probability. Pediatricians and nurses are often among the first to whom a child or their relatives turn for help. In order to achieve the goals of protecting children from abuse and neglect, it is necessary to establish good cooperation between experts from all fields that work with children (health, education, social protection, police, justice and others). However, it should be remembered that abuse can occur in all environments and that the child is never at fault. It is necessary to recognize risk factors, take care of the abused child and report suspected abuse and neglect, but also to help prevent re-victimization and chronic consequences associated with adverse childhood experiences.