Exploring Associations Between Abnormal Weight Classifications and Child Maltreatment Diagnoses.
Publication/Presentation Date
10-7-2023
Abstract
Child maltreatment poses not only immediate danger, but as a type of toxic stress, it creates higher risk of biologic dysfunction later in life. Pediatricians are in a unique position to diagnose child maltreatment, but they need evidence-based guidance for when to initiate screening when injury is occult. In this retrospective cohort study of 855 pediatric patients diagnosed with child maltreatment, researchers explored whether type or number of diagnoses was associated with abnormal pediatric weight in either direction. Diagnoses and weight assessed at intake were extracted from medical records for analysis. Statistically significant associations were found between weight classification and child maltreatment type as well as diagnosis count. Neglect was most frequently diagnosed, and children with ≥2 diagnoses were more likely to be classified as underweight, overweight, or obese. Findings support abnormal pediatric weight as a biologic signal of adversity that warrants safety screening in the clinical setting.
First Page
99228231204452
Last Page
99228231204452
ISSN
1938-2707
Published In/Presented At
Esernio-Jenssen, D., Morrobel, A., Hansen, S. E., & Kincaid, H. M. (2023). Exploring Associations Between Abnormal Weight Classifications and Child Maltreatment Diagnoses. Clinical pediatrics, 99228231204452. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1177/00099228231204452
Disciplines
Medicine and Health Sciences | Pediatrics
PubMedID
37804149
Department(s)
Department of Pediatrics, Network Office of Research and Innovation
Document Type
Article