Screening per rilevare il maltrattamento in un ambiente ospedaliero pediatrico

Abstract

Screening to detect Child Maltreatment in a Pediatric Hospital setting Child maltreatment is one of the main causes of death and disability in children. Failure to recognize abuse in its less severe forms can lead to repeated abuse and increased morbidity and mortality. In fact, a significant percentage of children with abuse injuries had been previously evaluated by a physician who did not recognize the abuse. Many screening programs have been created using flowcharts or automated checklists to improve the detection of maltreatment in all its forms or to be actively carried out by the health worker in contact with the child. The Pittsburgh Child Abuse Screening Tool is a checklist whose effectiveness has been evaluated in a hospital setting with encouraging results even if there are problems inherent its sensitivity and specificity.