Emergency department management of sentinel injuries in infants.

Sentinel injuries are often found incidentally on infants presenting with medical concerns or minor trauma as the chief complaint. Failure to recognize these findings as a potential indicator of child physical abuse may result in devastating outcomes, including disability and death. This issue reviews the most common sentinel injuries, including bruises, subconjunctival hemorrhages, oral injuries, and burns. Evidenced-based strategies are provided for evaluation and management of infants presenting to the emergency department with sentinel injuries.