Profile of Children With Child Abuse From Serbia.

OBJECTIVE

To study the demographic and clinical profile of children with suspected physical or sexual abuse.

METHODS

Retrospective records of children who were admitted to hospital between January, 2015 to December, 2020 with suspected physical or sexual abuse were evaluated.

RESULTS

The records of 52 children [mean (SD) age 12.24 (5.32) y, 39 boys] were retrieved. Contusions were the most common injury in 53.8% of boys and 69.2% of girls. The majority (70%) of 8-18 year-old-children were abused by peers, and parents/caregivers were the main perpetrators in 72.7% of younger children.

CONCLUSION

Child abuse is often underreported, and requires a high index of suspicion and multidisciplinary approach of management.