Citation

Anderst J, Carpenter SL, Abshire TC, Killough E, Mendonça EA, Downs SM, Wetmore C, Allen C, Dickens D, Harper J, Rogers ZR, Jain J, Warwick A, Yates A, Hord J, Lipton J, Wilson H, Kirkwood S, Haney SB, Asnes AG, Gavril AR, Girardet RG, Heavilin N, Gilmartin ABH, Laskey A, Messner SA, Mohr BA, Nienow SM, Rosado N, Idzerda SM, Legano LA, Raj A, Sirotnak AP, Forkey HC, Keeshin B, Matjasko J, Edward H, Chavdar M, Di Paola J, Leavey P, Graham D, Hastings C, Hijiya N, Hord J, Matthews D, Pace B, Velez MC, Wechsler D, Billett A, Stork L, Hooker R. Pediatrics 2022; 150(4): e2022059276.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2022, American Academy of Pediatrics)

DOI

10.1542/peds.2022-059276

PMID

36180615

Abstract

Bruising or bleeding in a child can raise the concern for child abuse. Assessing whether the findings are the result of trauma and/or whether the child has a bleeding disorder is critical. Many bleeding disorders are rare, and not every child with bruising/bleeding that may raise a concern for abuse requires an evaluation for bleeding disorders. However, in some instances, bleeding disorders can present in a manner similar to child abuse. Bleeding disorders cannot be ruled out solely on the basis of patient and family history, no matter how extensive. The history and clinical evaluation can be used to determine the necessity of an evaluation for a possible bleeding disorder, and prevalence and known clinical presentations of individual bleeding disorders can be used to guide the extent of laboratory testing. This clinical report provides guidance to pediatricians and other clinicians regarding the evaluation for bleeding disorders when child abuse is suspected.

Language: en