Prevention of child maltreatment

Prevention of child maltreatment:

• Unexplained injuries (e.g. fractures, burns), sentinel injuries, or injuries that do not fit the rationale provided or developmental stage raise concern for child maltreatment.
• Consider more support/resources for:
1. Parents with low socio-economic or educational status, younger maternal age, single parent family, history of abuse, mental health and/or substance use, unplanned pregnancy;
2. Families with intimate partner violence, high conflict relationships, isolation or lacking social connectedness, caregivers who use corporal punishment;
3. Children with behavioural or mental health conditions, or with special needs.
• Discuss with parents of preschoolers teaching names of genitalia, appropriate and inappropriate touch, teaching age-appropriate principles of consent and permission, and normal sexual behaviour for age.
• Exposure to personal violence and other forms of violence has significant impact on physical and emotional well-being of children.
• Assess home visit need: There is good evidence for home visiting by nurses during the perinatal period through infancy for first-time mothers of low socioeconomic status, single parents or teenaged parents to prevent physical abuse and/or neglect. Child maltreatment prevention (USPSTF)

Bruising in suspected maltreatment cases (CPS) Medical Neglect (CPS) INSPIRE: 7 strategies for ending violence against children (WHO) Traumatic Head Injury due to Child Maltreatment (CPS/PHAC) Risk and Protective Factors for Child Maltreatment (CDC) Children with suspected exposure to intimate partner violence (CPS)