Circular marks around the wrists or ankles from twisting or being tied up
Human bite marks
Lash marks
Unexplained unconsciousness in an infant
Warning signs that an adult may be abusing a child:
Cannot explain or gives strange explanations for a child's injuries
Talks about the child in a negative way
Uses harsh discipline
Was abused as a child
Alcohol or drug problems
Emotional problems or mental illness
High stress
Does not look after the child's hygiene or care
Does not seem to love or have concern for the child
Treatment
HELP AN ABUSED CHILD
Learn about the signs of child abuse. Recognize when a child might be abused. Get early help for abused children.
If you think a child is being abused, contact a health care provider, the police, or child protective services in your city, county or state.
Call 911 or the local emergency number for any child in immediate danger because of abuse or neglect.
You can also call Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-CHILD (1-800-422-4453). Crisis counselors are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Interpreters are available to help in 170 languages. The counselor on the phone can help you figure out what steps to take next. All calls are anonymous and confidential.
GETTING HELP FOR THE CHILD AND FAMILY
The child may need treatment and counseling. Abused children can be seriously hurt. Children may also have emotional problems.
There are state and other government departments or agencies that are responsible for the protection of children younger than age 18. Child protection agencies usually decide whether the child should go into foster care or can return home. Child protection agencies generally make every effort to reunite families when possible. The system varies from state to state, but usually involves a family court or a court that handles child abuse cases.
Dubowitz H, Lane WG. Abused and neglected children. In: Kliegman RM, St. Geme JW, Blum NJ, Shah SS, Tasker RC, Wilson KM, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 21st ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 16.
Review Date:
10/31/2022
Reviewed By:
Neil K. Kaneshiro, MD, MHA, Clinical Professor of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.