Munchausen syndrome by proxy is the most common term used to describe a type of child abuse in which a caregiver exaggerates, fabricates, or induces symptoms of a medical condition in a child that lead to unnecessary and potentially harmful medical care. Other terms for this rare type of child abuse include: Pediatric symptom falsification, factitious disorder by proxy, fabricated or induced illness by carers, child abuse in a medical setting, or simply medical child abuse.
Use the following resources to learn more about perpetrators of Munchausen syndrome by proxy.
Early Recognition and Management of Fabricated or Induced Illness in Children
Bass & Glaser (2014)
The Lancet, 383(9,926)
Provides an explanation of what constitutes fabricated or induced illnesses in children, possible motivations of perpetrators, characters of perpetrators, and the effects on the child. The report includes information on the child protection process and further therapeutic needs of the child and perpetrator.
Munchausen by Proxy Syndrome
Rady Children’s Hospital
Provides an overview of Munchausen by proxy syndrome, symptoms exhibited by the child and caregiver, causes of the psychiatric condition, and treatment for the child and perpetrator.
Munchausen by Proxy Syndrome (MBPS)
KidsHealth
Provides an overview of MBPS, symptoms of MBPS in children and the perpetrators, and causes of MBPS. The page includes information on treatment options for children and the perpetrator.
Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy
Pietrangelo (2016)
Healthline
Presents the warning signs of Munchausen by Proxy in a child and caregiver, as well as the information on the causes, diagnosis, and treatment of the disorder. The page includes information on the outlook for people with Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy and ways to prevent the disorder from escalating.
The Perpetrators of Medical Child Abuse (Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy) - A Systematic Review of 796 Cases
Bass & Yates (2017)
Child Abuse & Neglect, 72
Presents findings from a case and literature review of perpetrators of Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy. The study concludes with recommendations for practice improvement and further research.