The effects of child abuse : a skeletal and soft tissue analysis

Abstract

The maltreatment of children has been recorded in history as early as the first century B.C. when weak and infirm children of the Ceylonese were reported to tarnish the rest of the healthy population and were put to death. The medical implications of child maltreatment however, have been recognized for less than a century. Pioneered by John Caffey in 1946, the advances in medical science technology and the education of the medical community have served as an infallible ally against abuse. Early studies reported a direct correlation between infants with reported subdural hematomas also having unreported long bone fractures. These undeniable correlations lead to a trend in the investigations on the mechanisms of non-accidental injuries and their manifested outcomes. Certain injuries when unsupported by appropriate history, or the presence of multiple injuries in different stages of healing, warrant specific investigations and should raise suspicion of abuse. In addition to clinical and medical evaluation, a physical evaluation of height and weight may indicate overall health. This thesis will research, through a literature review of published sources and exploratory data analysis, the effects of child maltreatment on the juvenile skeleton.

Notes

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Thesis Completion

2002

Semester

Spring

Advisor

Dupras, Tosha L.

Degree

Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)

College

College of Arts and Sciences

Degree Program

Anthropology

Subjects

Arts and Sciences -- Dissertations, Academic;Dissertations, Academic -- Arts and Sciences;Abused children -- Medical examinations;Bones -- Wounds and injuries

Format

Print

Identifier

DP0021738

Language

English

Access Status

Open Access

Length of Campus-only Access

None

Document Type

Honors in the Major Thesis

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