Provides definitions of physical abuse and information to help you identify the signs and symptoms.
Child Physical Abuse Fact Sheet (PDF - 542 KB)
National Child Traumatic Stress Network (2009)
Describes physical abuse and its signs, characteristics of children who are physically abused, and consequences for families. The factsheet also addresses how to report suspected abuse and how to support children who disclose abuse.
Diagnostic Imaging of Child Abuse
American Academy of Pediatrics, Section on Radiology (2009)
Pediatrics, 123(5)
Discusses the role of diagnostic imaging in cases of child abuse to determine the extent of physical injury when abuse is present and to identify findings that point to alternative diagnoses.
Evaluation of Suspected Child Physical Abuse
Kellogg (2007)
Pediatrics, 119(6)
Provides guidance for pediatricians in evaluating suspected physical abuse. Specific signs of abuse are described, along with assessment, diagnosis, documentation, treatment, and legal issues.
Indicators of Child Physical Abuse
South Eastern Centre Against Sexual Assault and Family Violence
Offers many possible physical and behavioral indicators of physical child abuse, including information about disclosures.
Physical Abuse
Kids Matter Inc. (2016)
Provides a definition of physical abuse and common physical and emotional signs.
Physical Abuse and Neglect: A Training Curriculum
Giardino & Alexander & Hudson (2008)
Teaches the socioeconomic and family factors associated with physical abuse, the signs of abuse, and how to medically evaluate and treat the abuse. A companion CD-ROM contains clinical photographs of common injuries and forms of abuse and neglect.
Predicting and Responding to Physical Abuse in Young Children Using Ncands
Palusci & Smith & Paneth (2005)
Children and youth services review., 27
Examines State and national data to identify factors present at first incident of physical abuse in order to predict future abuse.
Screening Children
Stanford University School of Medicine (2017)
Offers tips on interviewing children about suspected child abuse.
Questions & Answers About Child Physical Abuse: An Interview With David Kolko, PhD (PDF - 363 KB)
National Child Traumatic Stress Network (2008)
Dr. Kolko answers commonly asked questions about prevalence, signs, and effects of physical abuse.
Abusive Head Trauma
Abusive Head Trauma Among Children Aged <2 Years—Alaska, 2005–2010 (PDF - 120 KB)
Alaska Department of Health and Social Services, Division of Public Health (2012)
Highlights the findings of a study that sought to characterize the epidemiology of pediatric abusive head trauma among children under the age of 2 in Alaska.
Abusive Head Trauma in Infants and Children
Christian & Block (2009)
Pediatrics, 123(5)
Describes the role of the pediatrician in the identification of abusive head trauma and provides recommendations.
Pediatric Abusive Head Trauma: Recommended Definitions for Public Health Surveillance and Research (PDF - 8,690 KB)
Parks, Annest, Hill, & Karch (2012)
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Provides a definition of abusive head trauma, aids in the collection of data, and promotes consistency of abusive head trauma surveillance for public health purposes.
Shaken Baby Syndrome
Cleveland Clinic
Describes the symptoms and warning signs of injury from shaken baby syndrome.
Understanding Abusive Head Trauma in Infants and Children: Answers from America's Pediatricians (PDF - 560 KB)
American Academy of Pediatricians (2017)
Defines "abusive head trauma" as inflicted head injuries most often caused by caregivers. This policy statement describes the injuries that lead to the diagnosis of abusive head trauma and the role of child protective services in protecting children who sustain this life-threatening abuse.