NCJ Number
223957
Journal
Child Abuse and Neglect: The International Journal Volume: 32 Issue: 7 Dated: July 2008 Pages: 671-681
Date Published
July 2008
Length
11 pages
Annotation
The purpose of this study was to explore whether specific health conditions place children at risk of maltreatment.
Abstract
Young, low-income children receiving public health insurance with an identified behavior/mental health condition are at increased risk of child maltreatment. Chronic physical health conditions also place children at a slightly elevated risk of maltreatment. Pediatricians, child welfare professionals, and others who interact regularly with children should be alert to the heightened risk of maltreatment among these groups of children. Several prior studies have focused on the prevalence and risk of maltreatment among children with special needs. This study adds to the research by assessing the relative risk of maltreatment among a group of children with chronic health and behavioral health conditions using a population-based data set and a standardized, widely used method of identifying health conditions, International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision (ICD-9-CM) codes. The main goal of the analysis is to examine to what extent specific chronic health conditions place young children at risk of maltreatment. Special attention is paid to prior abuse or neglect in a child’s life. Tables and references