Emergency department management of pediatric sexual abuse.

Abstract

Pediatric sexual abuse is a widespread problem impacting children and adolescents across all ages, races, ethnicities, and socioeconomic groups, and it is a topic that emergency clinicians caring for children need to be familiar with. A structured, multidisciplinary approach to the assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up of these patients is essential. This issue provides a comprehensive review of the current definitions, assessment techniques, diagnostic considerations, and management strategies for children who have experienced sexual abuse.