Child Protection And Disability

Question 1

Risk factors for childhood disability

Answer 1

socio-economic disadvantage (most important)
birth weight
prematurity
age
sex
ethnicity
communicable infections
parental behaviours
unintentional injury

Question 1

Categories of abuse

Answer 1

• NEGLECT
• PHYSICAL
• EMOTIONAL
• SEXUAL

Question 2

How does socio-economic status influence childhood disability

Answer 2

• Exposure to socio-economic disadvantage in early childhood is predisposing factor later onset of a disabling impairment/condition
• Children in low SES households are more exposed to social and environmental risk factors in prenatal and early childhood.
• Lower levels of participation in sport, education, leisure due to lack of money/unsuitable environment

Question 3

What is neglect and how does it present?

Answer 3

Inadequate food/shelter/clothing/supervision or protection from harm. Lack of access to appropriate medical care. Antenatal substance misuse.

Children have poor health and hygiene
Poor nutrition
Lack of supervision leads to accidents
Lack of stimulation leads to delayed development
Lack of affection can lead to withdrawal/attention seeking

Question 4

How can you distinguish between accidental and non-accidental injuries in a child?

Answer 4

Accidental injuries tend to be on bony prominences e.g. Knee, shin, elbows, forehead, palms

Injuries to soft tissue, may be bilateral or in a pattern. History is often inconsistent and there is a delay in presentation.

Question 5

Child presents with multiple bruises. Give 3 DDx aside from physical abuse

Answer 5

• Haemangiomas
• Infections e.g. scabies
• Unintentional injury
• Bleeding disorders
• Osteogenesis imperfecta

Question 7

Emotional abuse of children

Answer 7

Persistent emotional maltreatment.

Conveying to child they are worthless/unloved.
Inappropriate expectation/over protection, causing a child to feel frequently frightened

Witnessing or involvement in ill treatment of another e.g. domestic violence

Question 8

What is child abuse

Answer 8

Maltreatment of a child by inflicting harm or by failing to prevent harm

Question 9

Factors that may trigger/predispose children to abuste

Answer 9

Parental background: Young parents, Single parents, Mental illness

SEC: Poverty, Stress,Poor education

Child: Prematurity, Diability

Question 10

Effects of abuse on children

Answer 10

Behavioural problems e.g. aggression, anxious, avoidant
Lack of self estem
Educational difficulty
Depression
Poor social skills 
Eating disorders

Question 11

How can outcomes for disable children and families be improved?

Answer 11

Primary prevention: reduce incidence of preventable impairments and conditions e.g. smoke exposure, material environment, immunization

Early identification through population screening

Meeting needs of parents and children.