The battered child syndrome.

This is a report of socio-medical aspects of 23 episodes of physical abuse among 21 children, and findings include one death, a predominant age below two years, no unusual race or sex distribution, a high incidence of head trauma, skin lesions and bone changes, with a common history of previous abuse in the patient and siblings. Intact families had few children in the house. Parents were usually young, had a high incidence of illegitimate births, mental disease and previous criminal records. Abuse was often inflicted by a close relative, usually the mother. Incidence and severity of physical abuse in California and participation in therapy are discussed.