A condition in which a baby or small child is frequently beaten, usually by one or both of its parents, sustaining injuries such as multiple fractures.
Battered-child syndrome describes children who are chronically exposed to physical, sexual, or psychological abuse or neglect. The physical abuse may range from moderate injuries to severe ones that require hospitalization. Severe cases may result in permanent physical damage or even death.
Injuries inflicted on babies or young children by their parents, who are often emotionally disturbed or have themselves suffered from physical abuse in infancy or early childhood. The highest incidence of battering occurs in the first six months of life; it commonly takes the form of facial bruises, cigarette bums, bites, head injuries (often with brain damage), and fractured bones. Child abuse may be triggered by such crises as an unwanted pregnancy, unemployment, and debts; frequently, signs of older bruises, fractures, etc., are revealed when the child is brought for treatment. 60% of battered children suffer from further injury if discharged from hospital without the intensive support of a social worker and surveillance of family doctor and health visitor; a court order is often necessary to safeguard a child from further abuse.