Citation

Bhattacharyya AK. Child Abuse Negl. 1979; 3(2): 607-614.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1979, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Four available papers on a total of 12 Indian battered baby cases and one unpublished case are reviewed. The clinical and aetiological patterns conform to classical accounts. Although the reported cases are very few, the condition may not be so uncommon under changing social conditions. Impairement in growth and development or death of children resulting from widely prevalent malnutrition and preventable infections in the background of poverty and its concomitants, is considered child abuse in a wider sense and the literature is reviewed. The term, "Nutritionally Battered Child" is suggested for the victim of prolonged and severe protein-energy malnutrition showing extreme failure of growth and development. A brief account of measures that have been adopted in an attempt to protect the huge child population at risk is given.