The field of child abuse pediatrics is ever-evolving as research continues to add to our bank of knowledge. The Child Maltreatment Assessment workbook series offers up-to-date and peer-reviewed reference information for both new and experienced clinicians. The text is succinct yet thorough, covering multiple areas of physical child abuse.
Among the topics covered are the assessment of the presentation of victims, the biomechanics of the type injury, and mimics of abuse. In Chapter 4, Dr. Fugok and Dr. Dunn highlight the dynamics of thoracoabdominal injuries as well as appropriate laboratory studies and imaging. The significance of testing results is well delineated. The case studies offer an excellent method of incorporating the manner of presentation and the various injuries that are a signal for a complete evaluation for child abuse.
In Chapter 7, Dr. Schatzman and Dr. Esernio-Jenssen cover the topic of burns. This is a must-read for providers who care for children whether in primary care settings, emergency departments, specialty clinics, or hospitals. Most helpful is an outline of detailed questions that should be asked while obtaining the presenting history. The burn history is of critical importance in differentiating intentional versus unintentional burns. The photographs are paired well with the text giving an excellent visual of burn depths. The case scenarios incorporate the need for assessment of developmental ability of a burn patient.
The text is authored by renowned experts in the field of child abuse. Medical providers as well as members of multidisciplinary teams will find this an invaluable resource in their daily work.
Joan Phillips, MD, FAAP
Co-medical Director
Children’s Advocacy Center
Women and Children’s Hospital Charleston Area Medical Center
Charleston, West Virginia
This text provides thorough, start-to-finish approaches for all professionals that work with children who have experienced maltreatment. It is clear that Drs. Esernio-Jenssen, Alexander, and Doshi intentionally set the stage for authors to present traditional and novel evidence-based information related to the etiology, prevention, treatment, and reporting of various types of abuse. These authors comprehensively consider the short- and long-term effects of maltreatment, including what we now know about the neurobiology of trauma, all while addressing strategies to provide patient- and family-centered care. In addition, and unique to this text, chapters provide case studies and photographs for discussion that clearly depict authentic situations and lead to deeper understandings of realistic practice implications. This assessment is a must-read for all who aim to remedy the epidemic of child maltreatment!
Sara Jones, PhD, APRN, PMHNP-BC, FAAN, FAANP
The Child Maltreatment Assessment series, a new 3-volume-workbook series, should be a welcomed addition to both individual and institutional libraries as an authoritarian compendium that promises to be an invaluable resource for health care professionals as well as the disciplines of child protection, mental health, and law enforcement. The chapters that I had the pleasure of reviewing were thorough, well-written, and provided an easy-to-understand overview of complicated topical issues. The integration of a case-based format should in turn be of great practical value to the reader. There should be little doubt that the distinguished editors, Drs. Debra Esernio-Jenssen, Randell Alexander, and Ruchita Doshi have artfully selected both traditional and emerging topics contributed by well recognized authorities in the field. I look forward to adding this text to my library.
Martin A. Finkel, DO, FAAP
Professor of Pediatrics
Child Abuse Research Education & Service (CARES) Institute
Rowan University
Glassboro, New Jersey