Tag Archives: Child abuse

Child Abuse Prevention and Awareness

April 15, 2019Pediatrics/Kids Health, Trauma, Health Prevention844-SMA-TALK, Behind the Curtain, CDC, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Child abuse, Sterling Medical Advice, SterlingMedicalAdvice.com, Straight No Chaser, There are 72 Hours in a Day, child abuse prevention monthJeffrey Sterling, MD

Introduction

April is Child Abuse Prevention Month (and Neglect Prevention Month). Therefore, Straight, No Chaser, with the guidance of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, is offering up information and resources. Let’s increase you knowledge and offer better protection for the children you love. Children and families thrive when they have access to safe, stable, nurturing relationships and environments. Make a point of learning how to prevent child abuse and neglect before it begins!

Child Abuse Prevention

Facts about Child Abuse and Neglect

Child abuse and neglect are significant public health problems in the United States:

In 2017, an estimated 1,720 children died from abuse and neglect.
Also, about 674,000 children were identified as victims of child abuse or neglect by child protective service agencies in 2017.
Furthermore, an estimated one in four children have experienced abuse or neglect at some point in their lives.

Child Abuse and Neglect Are Preventable

child abuse prevention and awareness

Children’s lives are shaped by their experiences, including what happens in their environment and the types of relationships they have with parents, teachers, and other caregivers. Children who experience abuse, neglect, and other adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are also at increased risk for negative health consequences and certain chronic diseases as adults. Safe, stable, nurturing relationships and environments are essential to preventing child abuse and neglect. Additionally, policies and programs that are supportive of children and families can help prevent such abuse and neglect.

Resources for Prevention

national child abuse prevention month

CDC works to prevent child abuse and neglect before it begins.

CDC’s technical package, Preventing Child Abuse and Neglect: A Technical Package for Policy, Norm, and Programmatic Activities Cdc-pdf[3.9 MB] can help states and communities prevent child abuse and neglect. The technical package is a collection of strategies that represent the best available evidence and supports CDC’s Essentials for Childhood framework.
The Essentials for Childhood Framework Cdc-pdf[5.5 MB] includes strategies to promote relationships and environments that can help create neighborhoods, communities, and a world in which every child can thrive.
Essentials for Parenting Toddlers and Preschoolers is a free, online resource that is also available in Spanish. It provides a unique opportunity to receive evidence-based parenting information from a trustworthy source—CDC.

Visit CDC’s VetoViolence website for free violence prevention trainings, tools, and resources.

There’s More!

Visit these Straight, No Chaser posts for more information on Child Abuse

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Ask your SMA expert consultant any questions you may have on this topic. Also, take the #72HoursChallenge, and join the community. Additionally, as a thank you, we’re offering you a complimentary 30-day membership at www.72hourslife.com. Just use the code #NoChaser, and yes, it’s ok if you share!

Order your copy of Dr. Sterling’s books There are 72 Hours in a Day: Using Efficiency to Better Enjoy Every Part of Your Life and The 72 Hours in a Day Workbook: The Journey to The 72 Hours Life in 72 Days at Amazon or at www.jeffreysterlingbooks.com. Another free benefit to our readers is introductory pricing with multiple orders and bundles!

Thanks for liking and following Straight, No Chaser! This public service provides a sample of http://www.SterlingMedicalAdvice.com (SMA) and 844-SMA-TALK. Likewise, please share our page with your friends on WordPress! Also like us on Facebook @ SterlingMedicalAdvice.com! Follow us on Twitter at @asksterlingmd.

The Emotional Signs of Child Abuse

April 23, 2018General Health and Wellness, Mental Health, Pediatrics/Kids Health, Trauma844-SMA-TALK, Behind the Curtain, Bruise, Burn, Child abuse, Children Youth and Family, Infant, Prevention, Sexual abuse, Sterling Medical Advice, SterlingMedicalAdvice.com, Straight No Chaser, There are 72 Hours in a Day, Violence and AbuseJeffrey Sterling, MD

Introduction

This Straight, No Chaser post addresses the emotional signs of child abuse.

In a previous Straight, No Chaser, we provided a pictorial demonstration of the physical signs of child abuse. Unfortunately for many, the emotional signs of child abuse are even more dangerous. It’s important for you to be able to recognize the subtle emotional cues that could represent a high-risk situation for a child. Too often people take a laissez-faire approach to “abnormally acting” children. Your raising and reporting concerns could save lives.

One very important consideration is that reporting abnormal situations isn’t the same as making accusations. It’s better to think of it as establishing a path for whatever type of help is needed. To that end, today’s post will share information provided by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to help you recognize when a child may be in danger. Pay attention because it could be your child that is affected, and it’s not always true that what doesn’t kill you will make you stronger.

Emotional Signs of Child Abuse in the Child

Shows sudden changes in behavior or school performance
Has not received help for physical or medical problems brought to the parents’ attention
Has learning problems (or difficulty concentrating) that cannot be attributed to specific physical or psychological causes
Is always watchful, as though preparing for something bad to happen
Lacks adult supervision
Is overly compliant, passive, or withdrawn
Comes to school or other activities early, stays late and does not want to go home
Is reluctant to be around a particular person
Discloses maltreatment

Emotional Signs of Child Abuse in the Parent

Denies the existence of—or blames the child for—the child’s problems in school or at home
Asks teachers or other caregivers to use harsh physical discipline if the child misbehaves
Sees the child as entirely bad, worthless or burdensome
Demands a level of physical or academic performance the child cannot achieve
Looks primarily to the child for care, attention, and satisfaction of the parent’s emotional needs
Shows little concern for the child

The Parent and Child

Rarely touch or look at each other
Consider their relationship entirely negative
State that they do not like each other

The above list may not be all the signs of abuse or neglect. It is important to pay attention to other behaviors that may seem unusual or concerning. In addition to these signs and symptoms, Child Welfare Information Gateway provides information on the risk factors and perpetrators of child abuse and neglect fatalities: https://www.childwelfare.gov/topics/can/

Signs of Physical Abuse

Consider the possibility of physical abuse when the child …

Has unexplained burns, bites, bruises, broken bones or black eyes
Has fading bruises or other marks noticeable after an absence from school
Seems frightened of the parents and protests or cries when it is time to go home
Shrinks at the approach of adults
Reports injury by a parent or another adult caregiver
Abuses animals or pets

Consider the possibility of physical abuse when the parent or other adult caregiver …

Offers conflicting, unconvincing or no explanation for the child’s injury, or provides an explanation that is not consistent with the injury
Describes the child as “evil” or in some other very negative way
Uses harsh physical discipline with the child
Has a history of abuse as a child
Has a history of abusing animals or pets

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The Physical Signs of Child Abuse

April 22, 2018General Health and Wellness, Pediatrics/Kids Health, Trauma844-SMA-TALK, Behind the Curtain, Bruise, Burn, Child abuse, Children Youth and Family, Infant, Prevention, Sexual abuse, Sterling Medical Advice, SterlingMedicalAdvice.com, Straight No Chaser, There are 72 Hours in a DayJeffrey Sterling, MD

Introduction

This Straight, No Chaser post addresses the physical signs of child abuse.

Given how often this topic is in the news, we must continue to drill certain points home. This Straight, No Chaser provides visual examples of the consequences of child abuse. A child’s body doesn’t care if the wounds were meant to injure or just to punish. The long term effects aren’t limited by family traditions of similar behavior. We need an army to protect children against child abuse. A separate post will discuss the mental signs and consequences of abuse, but to start with, I’d like to help you recognize physical signs I tend to look for to potentially identify victims of abuse.

Physical Signs of Child Abuse Include:

Black eyes

Broken bones that are unusual and unexplained
Bruise marks or lashes shaped like hands, fingers, or objects (such as a belt)

Bruises in areas where normal childhood activities would not usually result in bruising

Bite marks

Bulging soft spot (fontanelle) or separations in an infant’s skull

Burn marks, usually seen on the hands, arms, or buttocks

Choke marks around the neck
Cigarette burns on exposed areas or on the genitals

Circular marks around the wrists or ankles (signs of twisting or tying up)
Unexplained unconsciousness in an infant

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Recognizing Sexual Abuse in Children

April 21, 2018Genital/Urinary, Pediatrics/Kids Health, Public Health, Trauma844-SMA-TALK, Behind the Curtain, Child abuse, Sexual abuse, Sterling Medical Advice, SterlingMedicalAdvice.com, Straight No Chaser, There are 72 Hours in a DayJeffrey Sterling, MD

Introduction

This Straight, No Chaser post is about recognizing sexual abuse in children.

The Scope of Sexual Abuse in Children

Child. Sexual. Abuse. Those words shouldn’t go together, even on a computer screen. According to the most recent U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Child Abuse Report, 683,000 children in the U.S. were abused at least once in 2015. There are subtleties in the detection of various forms of abuse. This post offers tips to help you develop a sense that something may be amiss.

This is the third entry in a Straight, No Chaser series on sexual assault (aka sexual violence, rape).

Check this Straight, No Chaser, which addresses the definition and scope of sexual assault, including actions to take if you’re a victim of sexual assault or an attempted sexual assault.
Check this Straight, No Chaser, which addressed how to lower your risk for sexual assault.
Another post will discuss concrete physical and mental consequences of sexual assault.

Diagnosing Sexual Abuse in Children

The difficulty of diagnosing and prosecuting sexual abuse is more difficult in children than in adults. Unfortunately, in many instances the child is unable to articulate or effectively demonstrate what has occurred. Furthermore, in other instances the child is so mentally and emotionally traumatized that she or he is unable to express what has occurred. In still other instances, the child’s feelings toward a family member (in those cases in which sexual assault is perpetrated by a family member) belie a sense of betrayal, preventing the reporting of episodes.

As such, those charged with detecting and diagnosing sexual abuse in children are left to observe for subtle, often unconscious cues that a child may be a victim and may still be in danger. Also, look for some of these behaviors in those who might be involved and, please, report any suspicions. Hopefully, the life you save may be your own child’s.

Signs of Sexual Abuse in Children

In a child, emotional or behavioral actions may include the following:

Attaches unusually quickly to strangers or adults
Attempts suicide
Becomes pregnant, particularly if under age 14
Displays behavioral extremes, including passivity/aggression or compliant/demanding behavior
Displays knowledge of sexual acts inconsistent with one’s age
Presence of a sexually transmitted infection, particularly if younger than 14 years old
Sudden appetite change
Delayed physical or emotional development
Difficulty walking or sitting
Episodes of nightmares or bedwetting

In adults or other caregiver, actions may include the following:

Constant blaming, belittling and berating the child
Controlling and jealous behavior
Displaying secretive and isolated behavior
Is abnormally protective of the child
Limiting the child’s interaction with other children

Please commit the crisis hotline to memory: 800-4-A-CHILD.

Follow us!

Straight, No Chaser: Recognizing Sexual Abuse in Children

April 8, 2017Genital/Urinary, Pediatrics/Kids Health, Public Health, Trauma844-SMA-TALK, Behind the Curtain, Child abuse, Sexual abuse, Sterling Medical Advice, SterlingMedicalAdvice.com, Straight No ChaserJeffrey Sterling, MD

Child. Sexual. Abuse. Those words shouldn’t go together, even on a computer screen. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 683,000 children in the U.S. were abused at least once in 2015. There are subtleties in the detection of various forms of abuse. This post offers tips to help you develop a sense that something may be amiss.
This is the third entry in a Straight, No Chaser series on sexual assault (aka sexual violence, rape).

Check this Straight, No Chaser, which addresses the definition and scope of sexual assault, including actions to take if you’re a victim of sexual assault or an attempted sexual assault.
Check this Straight, No Chaser, which addressed how to lower your risk for sexual assault.
Another post will discuss concrete physical and mental consequences of sexual assault.

The difficulty of diagnosing and prosecuting sexual abuse is more difficult in children than in adults. In many instances the child is unable to articulate or effectively demonstrate what has occurred, and in other instances the child is so mentally and emotionally traumatized that she or he is unable to express what has occurred. In still other instances, the child’s feelings toward a family member (in those cases in which sexual assault is perpetrated by a family member) belie a sense of betrayal, preventing the reporting of episodes.
As such, those charged with detecting and diagnosing sexual abuse in children are left to observe for subtle, often unconscious cues that a child may be a victim and may still be in danger. Look for some of these behaviors in those who might be involved and, please, report any suspicions. The life you save may be your own child’s.

In a child, emotional or behavioral actions may include the following:

Attaches unusually quickly to strangers or adults
Attempts suicide
Becomes pregnant, particularly if under age 14
Displays behavioral extremes, including passivity/aggression or compliant/demanding behavior
Displays knowledge of sexual acts inconsistent with one’s age
Has a sexually transmitted infection, particularly if younger than 14 years old
Has a sudden appetite change
Has delayed physical or emotional development
Has difficulty walking or sitting
Has episodes of nightmares or bedwetting

In adults or other caregiver, actions may include the following:

Constant blaming, belittling and berating the child
Controlling and jealous behavior
Displaying secretive and isolated behavior
Is abnormally protective of the child
Limiting the child’s interaction with other children

Please commit the crisis hotline to memory: 800-4-A-CHILD.

Feel free to ask your SMA expert consultant any questions you may have on this topic.
Order your copy of Dr. Sterling’s new book Behind The Curtain: A Peek at Life from within the ER at jeffreysterlingbooks.com, iTunes, Amazon, Barnes and Nobles and wherever books are sold.
Thanks for liking and following Straight, No Chaser! This public service provides a sample of what http://www.SterlingMedicalAdvice.com (SMA) and 844-SMA-TALK offers. Please share our page with your friends on WordPress, like us on Facebook @ SterlingMedicalAdvice.com and follow us on Twitter at @asksterlingmd.
Copyright © 2017 · Sterling Initiatives, LLC · Powered by WordPress

Straight, No Chaser: The Emotional Signs of Child Abuse

April 2, 2017General Health and Wellness, Mental Health, Pediatrics/Kids Health, Trauma844-SMA-TALK, Behind the Curtain, Bruise, Burn, Child abuse, Children Youth and Family, Infant, Prevention, Sexual abuse, Sterling Medical Advice, SterlingMedicalAdvice.com, Straight No Chaser, Violence and AbuseJeffrey Sterling, MD

In a previous Straight, No Chaser, we provided a pictorial demonstration of the physical signs of child abuse. Unfortunately for many, the emotional signs are even more dangerous. It’s important for you to be able to recognize the subtle emotional cues that could represent a high-risk situation for a child. Too often people take a laissez-faire approach to “abnormally acting” children. Your raising and reporting concerns could save lives.
One very important consideration is that reporting abnormal situations isn’t the same as making accusations. It’s better to think of it as establishing a path for whatever type of help is needed. To that end, today’s post will share information provided by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to help you recognize when a child may be in danger. Pay attention because it could be your child that is affected, and it’s not always true that what doesn’t kill you will make you stronger.

The Child
• Shows sudden changes in behavior or school performance
• Has not received help for physical or medical problems brought to the parents’ attention
• Has learning problems (or difficulty concentrating) that cannot be attributed to specific physical or psychological causes
• Is always watchful, as though preparing for something bad to happen
• Lacks adult supervision
• Is overly compliant, passive, or withdrawn
• Comes to school or other activities early, stays late and does not want to go home
• Is reluctant to be around a particular person
• Discloses maltreatment

The Parent
• Denies the existence of—or blames the child for—the child’s problems in school or at home
• Asks teachers or other caregivers to use harsh physical discipline if the child misbehaves
• Sees the child as entirely bad, worthless or burdensome
• Demands a level of physical or academic performance the child cannot achieve
• Looks primarily to the child for care, attention, and satisfaction of the parent’s emotional needs
• Shows little concern for the child

The Parent and Child
• Rarely touch or look at each other
• Consider their relationship entirely negative
• State that they do not like each other
The above list may not be all the signs of abuse or neglect. It is important to pay attention to other behaviors that may seem unusual or concerning. In addition to these signs and symptoms, Child Welfare Information Gateway provides information on the risk factors and perpetrators of child abuse and neglect fatalities: https://www.childwelfare.gov/topics/can/

Consider the possibility of physical abuse when the parent or other adult caregiver …
• Offers conflicting, unconvincing or no explanation for the child’s injury, or provides an explanation that is not consistent with the injury
• Describes the child as “evil” or in some other very negative way
• Uses harsh physical discipline with the child
• Has a history of abuse as a child
• Has a history of abusing animals or pets
Feel free to ask your SMA expert consultant any questions you may have on this topic.
Order your copy of Dr. Sterling’s new book Behind The Curtain: A Peek at Life from within the ER at jeffreysterlingbooks.com, iTunes, Amazon, Barnes and Nobles and wherever books are sold.
Thanks for liking and following Straight, No Chaser! This public service provides a sample of what http://www.SterlingMedicalAdvice.com (SMA) and 844-SMA-TALK offers. Please share our page with your friends on WordPress, like us on Facebook @ SterlingMedicalAdvice.com and follow us on Twitter at @asksterlingmd.
Copyright © 2017 · Sterling Initiatives, LLC · Powered by WordPress

Straight, No Chaser: The Physical Signs of Child Abuse

April 1, 2017General Health and Wellness, Pediatrics/Kids Health, Trauma844-SMA-TALK, Behind the Curtain, Bruise, Burn, Child abuse, Children Youth and Family, Infant, Prevention, Sexual abuse, Sterling Medical Advice, SterlingMedicalAdvice.com, Straight No Chaser, Violence and AbuseJeffrey Sterling, MD

Black eyes

Broken bones that are unusual and unexplained
Bruise marks or lashes shaped like hands, fingers, or objects (such as a belt)

Bruises in areas where normal childhood activities would not usually result in bruising

Bite marks

Bulging soft spot (fontanelle) or separations in an infant’s skull

Burn marks, usually seen on the hands, arms, or buttocks

Choke marks around the neck
Cigarette burns on exposed areas or on the genitals

Circular marks around the wrists or ankles (signs of twisting or tying up)
Unexplained unconsciousness in an infant

If you ever see such things in children, be suspicious, be involved and get help. There are always ‘explanations’ for why things happen to children, but they too frequently seem to defy logic. Of course you can call 911 or the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline (1-800-4-A-CHILD). You could save a life.
Feel free to ask your SMA expert consultant any questions you may have on this topic.
Order your copy of Dr. Sterling’s new book Behind The Curtain: A Peek at Life from within the ER at jeffreysterlingbooks.com, iTunes, Amazon, Barnes and Nobles and wherever books are sold.
Thanks for liking and following Straight, No Chaser! This public service provides a sample of what http://www.SterlingMedicalAdvice.com (SMA) and 844-SMA-TALK offers. Please share our page with your friends on WordPress, like us on Facebook @ SterlingMedicalAdvice.com and follow us on Twitter at @asksterlingmd.
Copyright © 2017 · Sterling Initiatives, LLC · Powered by WordPress

Straight, No Chaser: Recognizing Sexual Abuse in Children

April 25, 2016Genital/Urinary, Pediatrics/Kids Health, Public Health, Trauma844-SMA-TALK, Behind the Curtain, Child abuse, Sexual abuse, Sterling Medical Advice, SterlingMedicalAdvice.com, Straight No ChaserJeffrey Sterling, MD

Child. Sexual. Abuse. Those words shouldn’t go together, even on a computer screen. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 695,000 children in the U.S. were abused at least once in 2010. There are subtleties in the detection of various forms of abuse. This post offers tips to help you develop a sense that something may be amiss.
This is the third entry in a Straight, No Chaser series on sexual assault (aka sexual violence, rape).

Check this Straight, No Chaser, which addresses the definition and scope of sexual assault, including actions to take if you’re a victim of sexual assault or an attempted sexual assault.
Check this Straight, No Chaser, which addressed how to lower your risk for sexual assault.
Another post will discuss concrete physical and mental consequences of sexual assault.

In a child, emotional or behavioral actions may include the following:

Attaches unusually quickly to strangers or adults
Attempts suicide
Becomes pregnant, particularly if under age 14
Displays behavioral extremes, including passivity/aggression or compliant/demanding behavior
Displays knowledge of sexual acts inconsistent with one’s age
Has a sexually transmitted infection, particularly if younger than 14 years old
Has a sudden appetite change
Has delayed physical or emotional development
Has difficulty walking or sitting
Has episodes of nightmares or bedwetting

In adults or other caregiver, actions may include the following:

Constant blaming, belittling and berating the child
Controlling and jealous behavior
Displaying secretive and isolated behavior
Is abnormally protective of the child
Limiting the child’s interaction with other children

Please commit the crisis hotline to memory: 800-4-A-CHILD.

Feel free to ask your SMA expert consultant any questions you may have on this topic.
Order your copy of Dr. Sterling’s new book Behind The Curtain: A Peek at Life from within the ER at jeffreysterlingbooks.com, iTunes, Amazon, Barnes and Nobles and wherever books are sold.
Thanks for liking and following Straight, No Chaser! This public service provides a sample of what http://www.SterlingMedicalAdvice.com (SMA) and 844-SMA-TALK offers. Please share our page with your friends on WordPress, like us on Facebook @ SterlingMedicalAdvice.com and follow us on Twitter at @asksterlingmd.
Copyright © 2016 · Sterling Initiatives, LLC · Powered by WordPress

Straight, No Chaser: The Emotional Signs of Child Abuse

April 13, 2016General Health and Wellness, Mental Health, Pediatrics/Kids Health, Trauma844-SMA-TALK, Behind the Curtain, Bruise, Burn, Child abuse, Children Youth and Family, Infant, Prevention, Sexual abuse, Sterling Medical Advice, SterlingMedicalAdvice.com, Straight No Chaser, Violence and AbuseJeffrey Sterling, MD

Consider the possibility of physical abuse when the parent or other adult caregiver …
• Offers conflicting, unconvincing or no explanation for the child’s injury, or provides an explanation that is not consistent with the injury
• Describes the child as “evil” or in some other very negative way
• Uses harsh physical discipline with the child
• Has a history of abuse as a child
• Has a history of abusing animals or pets
Feel free to ask your SMA expert consultant any questions you may have on this topic.
Order your copy of Dr. Sterling’s new book Behind The Curtain: A Peek at Life from within the ER at jeffreysterlingbooks.com, iTunes, Amazon, Barnes and Nobles and wherever books are sold.
Thanks for liking and following Straight, No Chaser! This public service provides a sample of what http://www.SterlingMedicalAdvice.com (SMA) and 844-SMA-TALK offers. Please share our page with your friends on WordPress, like us on Facebook @ SterlingMedicalAdvice.com and follow us on Twitter at @asksterlingmd.
Copyright © 2016 · Sterling Initiatives, LLC · Powered by WordPress

Straight, No Chaser: The Physical Signs of Child Abuse

April 12, 2016General Health and Wellness, Pediatrics/Kids Health, Trauma844-SMA-TALK, Behind the Curtain, Bruise, Burn, Child abuse, Children Youth and Family, Infant, Prevention, Sexual abuse, Sterling Medical Advice, SterlingMedicalAdvice.com, Straight No Chaser, Violence and AbuseJeffrey Sterling, MD

Black eyes

Broken bones that are unusual and unexplained
Bruise marks or lashes shaped like hands, fingers, or objects (such as a belt)

Bruises in areas where normal childhood activities would not usually result in bruising

Bite marks

Bulging soft spot (fontanelle) or separations in an infant’s skull

Burn marks, usually seen on the hands, arms, or buttocks

Choke marks around the neck
Cigarette burns on exposed areas or on the genitals

Circular marks around the wrists or ankles (signs of twisting or tying up)
Unexplained unconsciousness in an infant

If you ever see such things in children, be suspicious, be involved and get help. There are always ‘explanations’ for why things happen to children, but they too frequently seem to defy logic. Of course you can call 911 or the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline (1-800-4-A-CHILD). You could save a life.
Feel free to ask your SMA expert consultant any questions you may have on this topic.
Order your copy of Dr. Sterling’s new book Behind The Curtain: A Peek at Life from within the ER at jeffreysterlingbooks.com, iTunes, Amazon, Barnes and Nobles and wherever books are sold.
Thanks for liking and following Straight, No Chaser! This public service provides a sample of what http://www.SterlingMedicalAdvice.com (SMA) and 844-SMA-TALK offers. Please share our page with your friends on WordPress, like us on Facebook @ SterlingMedicalAdvice.com and follow us on Twitter at @asksterlingmd.
Copyright © 2016 · Sterling Initiatives, LLC · Powered by WordPress

Straight, No Chaser In The News: A Nearly 3% Increase in the Number of Child Abuse Cases

January 27, 2016Pediatrics/Kids Health, Public Health, Trauma844-SMA-TALK, Behind the Curtain, Child abuse, Department of Health and Human Services, Sterling Medical Advice, SterlingMedicalAdvice.com, Straight No ChaserJeffrey Sterling, MD

Child Abuse prevention month is in April, and Straight, No Chaser will perform a thorough review of the topic. However, it’s never too early to be aware of important trends. In the news is a report from the US Department of Health and Health and Human Services showed that the estimated number of child abuse victims in fiscal year 2014 was “702,208 – up from 682,307 in 2013.” Additionally, the report also showed that the “estimated fatalities attributable to child abuse and neglect” were “1,580 – up from 1,530 in 2013.”
I will take this space to remind you of a few points.

The developing human body (especially its brain) doesn’t distinguish between what you may describe as discipline and what it receives as assault. A developing body is more susceptible to permanent injury than the adult body, and permanent damage is not influenced by your intent.
If you are aware of environments in which abuse occurs, please get help. In this day and age a nearly 3 percent increase in the number of US children victimized by abuse and neglect should be shocking to us all.

Straight, No Chaser: The Emotional Signs of Child Abuse

September 15, 2014General Health and Wellness, Mental Health, Pediatrics/Kids Health, Trauma844-SMA-TALK, Bruise, Burn, Child abuse, Children Youth and Family, Infant, Prevention, Sexual abuse, Sterling Medical Advice, SterlingMedicalAdvice.com, Straight No Chaser, Violence and AbuseJeffrey Sterling, MD

Consider the possibility of physical abuse when the parent or other adult caregiver …
• Offers conflicting, unconvincing or no explanation for the child’s injury, or provides an explanation that is not consistent with the injury
• Describes the child as “evil” or in some other very negative way
• Uses harsh physical discipline with the child
• Has a history of abuse as a child
• Has a history of abusing animals or pets
Thanks for liking and following Straight, No Chaser! This public service provides a sample of 844-SMA-TALK and http://www.SterlingMedicalAdvice.com (SMA). Enjoy some of our favorite posts and frequently asked questions as well as a daily note explaining the benefits of SMA membership. Please share our page with your Friends on WordPress, on Facebook at SterlingMedicalAdvice.com and on Twitter at @asksterlingmd.
Copyright © 2014 · Sterling Initiatives, LLC · Powered by WordPress

Straight, No Chaser: The Physical Signs of Child Abuse

September 14, 2014General Health and Wellness, Pediatrics/Kids Health, Trauma844-SMA-TALK, Bruise, Burn, Child abuse, Children Youth and Family, Infant, Prevention, Sexual abuse, Sterling Medical Advice, SterlingMedicalAdvice.com, Straight No Chaser, Violence and AbuseJeffrey Sterling, MD

Black eyes

Broken bones that are unusual and unexplained
Bruise marks or lashes shaped like hands, fingers, or objects (such as a belt)

Bruises in areas where normal childhood activities would not usually result in bruising

Bite marks

Bulging soft spot (fontanelle) or separations in an infant’s skull

Burn marks, usually seen on the hands, arms, or buttocks

Choke marks around the neck
Cigarette burns on exposed areas or on the genitals

Circular marks around the wrists or ankles (signs of twisting or tying up)
Unexplained unconsciousness in an infant

If you ever see such things in children, be suspicious, be involved and get help. There are always ‘explanations’ for why things happen to children, but they too frequently seem to defy logic. Of course you can call 911 or the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline (1-800-4-A-CHILD). You could save a life.
Feel free to ask your SMA expert consultant any questions you may have on this topic.
Thanks for liking and following Straight, No Chaser! This public service provides a sample of what 844-SMA-TALK and http://www.SterlingMedicalAdvice.com (SMA) offer. Please share our page with your friends on WordPress, Facebook @ SterlingMedicalAdvice.com and Twitter at @asksterlingmd.
Copyright © 2014 · Sterling Initiatives, LLC · Powered by WordPress.

Straight, No Chaser: Recognizing Sexual Abuse in Children

April 20, 2014General Health and Wellness, Genital/Urinary, Pediatrics/Kids Health, Public Health, Trauma844-SMA-TALK, Child abuse, Sexual abuse, Sterling Medical Advice, SterlingMedicalAdvice.com, Straight No ChaserJeffrey Sterling, MD

Check this Straight, No Chaser, which addresses the definition and scope of sexual assault, including actions to take if you’re a victim of sexual assault or an attempted sexual assault.
Check this Straight, No Chaser, which addressed how to lower your risk for sexual assault.
Another post will discuss concrete physical and mental consequences of sexual assault.

In a child, emotional or behavioral actions may include the following:

Attaches unusually quickly to strangers or adults
Attempts suicide
Becomes pregnant, particularly if under age 14
Displays behavioral extremes, including passivity/aggression or compliant/demanding behavior
Displays knowledge of sexual acts inconsistent with one’s age
Has a sexually transmitted infection, particularly if younger than 14 years old
Has a sudden appetite change
Has delayed physical or emotional development
Has difficulty walking or sitting
Has episodes of nightmares or bedwetting

In adults or other caregiver, actions may include the following:

Constant blaming, belittling and berating the child
Controlling and jealous behavior
Displaying secretive and isolated behavior
Is abnormally protective of the child
Limiting the child’s interaction with other children

Please commit the crisis hotline to memory: 800-4-A-CHILD.

Thanks for liking and following Straight, No Chaser! This public service provides a sample of 844-SMA-TALK and http://www.SterlingMedicalAdvice.com (SMA). Enjoy some of our favorite posts and frequently asked questions as well as a daily note explaining the benefits of SMA membership. Please share our page with your Friends on WordPress, on Facebook at SterlingMedicalAdvice.com and on Twitter at @asksterlingmd.

Straight, No Chaser: The Emotional and Physical Signs of Child Abuse

April 17, 2014Pediatrics/Kids Health, Health Prevention844-SMA-TALK, Child abuse, Sterling Medical Advice, SterlingMedicalAdvice.com, Straight No ChaserJeffrey Sterling, MD

In a previous Straight, No Chaser we provided a pictorial demonstration of the physical signs of child abuse. Unfortunately for many, the emotional signs are even more dangerous. It’s important for you to be able to recognize the subtle emotional cues that could represent a high-risk situation for a child. Too often people take a laissez-faire approach to “abnormally acting” children. Your raising and reporting concerns could save lives.
One very important consideration is that reporting abnormal situations isn’t the same as making accusations. It’s better to think of it as establishing a path for whatever type of help is needed. To that end, today’s post will share information provided by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to help you recognize when a child may be in danger. Pay attention because it could be your child that is affected, and it’s not always true that what doesn’t kill you will make you stronger.
The Child
• Shows sudden changes in behavior or school performance
• Has not received help for physical or medical problems brought to the parents’ attention
• Has learning problems (or difficulty concentrating) that cannot be attributed to specific physical or psychological causes
• Is always watchful, as though preparing for something bad to happen
• Lacks adult supervision
• Is overly compliant, passive, or withdrawn
• Comes to school or other activities early, stays late and does not want to go home
• Is reluctant to be around a particular person
• Discloses maltreatment
The Parent
• Denies the existence of—or blames the child for—the child’s problems in school or at home
• Asks teachers or other caregivers to use harsh physical discipline if the child misbehaves
• Sees the child as entirely bad, worthless or burdensome
• Demands a level of physical or academic performance the child cannot achieve
• Looks primarily to the child for care, attention, and satisfaction of the parent’s emotional needs
• Shows little concern for the child
The Parent and Child
• Rarely touch or look at each other
• Consider their relationship entirely negative
• State that they do not like each other
The above list may not be all the signs of abuse or neglect. It is important to pay attention to other behaviors that may seem unusual or concerning. In addition to these signs and symptoms, Child Welfare Information Gateway provides information on the risk factors and perpetrators of child abuse and neglect fatalities: https://www. childwelfare.gov/can/risk_perpetrators.cfm

Signs of Physical Abuse
Consider the possibility of physical abuse when the child …
• Has unexplained burns, bites, bruises, broken bones or black eyes
• Has fading bruises or other marks noticeable after an absence from school
• Seems frightened of the parents and protests or cries when it is time to go home
• Shrinks at the approach of adults
• Reports injury by a parent or another adult caregiver
• Abuses animals or pets
Consider the possibility of physical abuse when the parent or other adult caregiver …
• Offers conflicting, unconvincing or no explanation for the child’s injury, or provides an explanation that is not consistent with the injury
• Describes the child as “evil” or in some other very negative way
• Uses harsh physical discipline with the child
• Has a history of abuse as a child
• Has a history of abusing animals or pets
Thanks for liking and following Straight, No Chaser! This public service provides a sample of 844-SMA-TALK and http://www.SterlingMedicalAdvice.com (SMA). Enjoy some of our favorite posts and frequently asked questions as well as a daily note explaining the benefits of SMA membership. Please share our page with your Friends on WordPress, on Facebook at SterlingMedicalAdvice.com and on Twitter at @asksterlingmd.
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Straight, No Chaser: Physical Signs of Child Abuse

April 16, 2014General Health and Wellness, Pediatrics/Kids Health, Trauma844-SMA-TALK, Child abuse, Childhelp, Shaken baby syndrome, Sterling Medical Advice, SterlingMedicalAdvice.com, Straight No ChaserJeffrey Sterling, MD

This is National Child Abuse Prevention Month. Given how often this topic is in the news, children need you to be part an army to protect children against child abuse. Straight, No Chaser will intermittently be discussing various forms of abuse, but first I’d like to help you recognize physical signs I tend to look for to potentially identify victims of abuse:

Black eyes

Broken bones that are unusual and unexplained
Bruise marks or lashes shaped like hands, fingers, or objects (such as a belt)

Bruises in areas where normal childhood activities would not usually result in bruising

Bite marks

Bulging soft spot (fontanelle) or separations in an infant’s skull

Burn marks, usually seen on the hands, arms, or buttocks

Choke marks around the neck
Cigarette burns on exposed areas or on the genitals

Circular marks around the wrists or ankles (signs of twisting or tying up)
Unexplained unconsciousness in an infant

If you ever see such things in children, be suspicious, be involved and get help. There are always “explanations” for why things happen to children, but they too frequently seem to defy logic. Of course you can call 911 or the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline (1-800-4-A-CHILD). You could save a life.

Straight, No Chaser: The Week in Review and Your Quick Tips

August 18, 2013Medical Treatment, Health PreventionAllergic reactions, Antioxidants, Bedwetting, BeeGees, Child abuse, Cocaine, CPR, Drowning, Free radicals, Golf injuries, Grief, Grief Loss and Bereavement, health, Lactose intolerance, Peptic ulcer, Primary syphilis, Rabies, Rashes, Syphilis, UlcersJeffrey Sterling, MD

Another week of knowledge and good health has come and gone at Straight, No Chaser. Here’s your Week in Review. Click on any of the underlined topics for links to the original posts.
On Sunday, we started the week reviewing rashes found on the palms and soles. The entire post was meant to raise awareness that secondary syphilis presents like this, which is an important consideration given how easily primary syphilis can be missed, how devastating tertiary syphilis is and how simple treatment is once diagnosed. Get it checked, and get it treated. Sunday also brought a tear jerker of a topic in reviewing the physical signs of child abuse. We often say knowledge is power, but in this example, knowledge could mean continued life for a victim. Review those patterns of symptoms, and commit to being involved when needed.
On Monday, we reviewed lactose intolerance, which we tend to think is funny in theory but never is if you’re the one affected. Remember it’s not the dairy that’s important to your health but the calcium it provides. There are alternatives. We also provided Quick Tips for the newborn in your family. It’s never a bad thing to have a newborn evaluated, but don’t be distraught if the answer to your questions involve a lot of reassurance. Remember, lots of answers to your questions involve things that happen underneath the diaper.
On Tuesday, we reviewed rabies. We all knew there was a reason we didn’t like bats, skunks and raccoons, but if you live in the wrong area, your household cat or dog could be just as deadly if they aren’t completely immunized against rabies. We also looked at injuries that occur from playing golf. Who’d have thought five hours of swinging a club 100 MPH could cause back problems? It’s such a peaceful game!
On Wednesday, we discussed ulcers. Amazingly, peptic ulcer disease is most commonly traceable to a bacterial infection. This is another condition where smoking and drinking (and overuse of pain medications) will come back to haunt you. Wednesday also brought a review of allergic reactions and the potential life-threatening nature of them. Because of this fact, it’s just not a good idea to wait around for things to get better on their own.
On Thursday, we discussed antioxidants and free radicals, which surprised a lot of you. Although you seemingly can’t go wrong with antioxidants you eat, taking all those expensive supplements has been shown not to provide the same level of benefit and may in fact be harmful. We also reviewed grief and bereavement. I hope many of you learned that your suffering and responses are not only normal, but they’re universal.
On Friday, we provided an update on CPR and gave you another reason to remember the BeeGees. Layperson and bystander CPR has been made so easy that you just have to take the two minutes to learn what to do. We also reviewed cocaine myths and truths, which is important because cocaine often leads to the need for CPR. I think I scared some people off with the image of big needles to treat their cocaine erections… Oh well!
On Saturday, we discussed drowning. Keep your infants at arm’s length, and remember to bring a few life-savers (preservers, ropes, etc.) when you plan on being especially adventurous in the water. We wrapped the week up discussing bedwetting, which often resolves on its own but sometimes is a symptom of another medical condition.
Thanks for your support and continued feedback. If you have topics you’d like to see discussed, please feel free to send me an email or comment.
Jeffrey E. Sterling, MD

Straight, No Chaser: Learn The Physical Signs of Child Abuse

August 11, 2013Health PreventionBruise, Burn, Child abuse, Children Youth and Family, Infant, Prevention, Sexual abuse, Violence and AbuseJeffrey Sterling, MD

We need an army to protect children against child abuse. I will intermittently be discussing various forms of abuse, but to start with, I’d like to help you recognize physical signs I tend to look for to potentially identify victims of abuse.
Symptoms include: