The Pediatrician's Role in Child Maltreatment Prevention

Abstract

It is the pediatrician's role to promote the child's well-being and to help parents raise healthy, well-adjusted children. Pediatricians, therefore, can play an important role in the prevention of child maltreatment. Previous clinical reports and policy statements from the American Academy of Pediatrics have focused on improving the identification and management of child maltreatment. This clinical report outlines how the pediatrician can help to strengthen families and promote safe, stable, nurturing relationships with the aim of preventing maltreatment. After describing some of the triggers and factors that place children at risk for maltreatment, the report describes how pediatricians can identify family strengths, recognize risk factors, provide helpful guidance, and refer families to programs and other resources with the goal of strengthening families, preventing child maltreatment, and enhancing child development.

Income Inequality and Child Maltreatment in the United States

“…25,43 Such policy and practice discussions have included a separate report on the role of the pediatrician in child maltreatment prevention. 44 Included in this report are recommendations for effective hospital-based programs (eg, abusive head trauma prevention programs), community-based programs (eg, home visitation and parent training programs), as well as guidance for the pediatrician for approaches to prevention within health supervision visits. Our findings, however, suggest that a comprehensive approach will ultimately require advocacy and action at the societal and community levels aimed at reducing income inequality.…”

Prevención del maltrato infantil: función del pediatra. 1ra parte: Aspectos generales, evidencia, factores de riesgo, factores protectores y desencadenantes

“…La prevención del maltrato infantil también se puede clasificar por el nivel de intervención (individual, relacional y comunitario), por la etapa de desarrollo (infancia, niñez, adolescencia y adultez) 1 o por la población a la que se dirige (universal o dirigida). 19,20 La evidencia científica en la prevención del maltrato infantil En la actualidad, se evalúa la evidencia científica para tomar las medidas preventivas más eficaces. 1,21 Hay cada vez más consenso sobre la relación causal entre episodios adversos en la infancia y la aparición de patologías en la adultez y la consecuente muerte prematura, [12][13][14] pero hay pocos trabajos científicos para responder qué intervenciones son mejores para prevenirlos.…”

“…24,25 En cambio, la mayoría de las organizaciones no recomiendan el rastreo universal de maltrato si no hay síntomas o signos de sospecha, pero indican a los profesionales estar alertas a sus indicadores. 4,19,20,26,27 En la mayoría de los países, la detección de signos de sospecha de maltrato infantil tiene implicancias legales y exigen al médico o profesional que atiende a niños alguna forma de reporte o denuncia. 1,27 La Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS) recomienda a los países hacer prevención del maltrato y no tiene duda de que hay evidencia suficiente de que la prevención reduce el maltrato infantil.…”

The Safe Environment for Every Kid Model: Impact on Pediatric Primary Care Professionals

“…This modified version built on our previous work, which had demonstrated adequate stability and validity. [12][13][14][15] The PSQ was to be given to all parents bringing their child (0 -5 years) for a checkup at 2, 9, 15, 24, 36, 48, and 60 months at a SEEK practice. Completing it was optional.…”

“…10 One barrier to HP involvement in these sensitive areas has been a lack of training and tools. 11,12 To intervene effectively, pediatricians must become knowledgeable, competent, and comfortable to address these problems. 13 The SEEK (Safe Environment for Every Kid) model of pediatric primary care was developed to help HPs do so and thereby promote children's health, development, and safety.…”