Emotional, behavioral, and developmental features indicative of neglect or emotional abuse in preschool children: a systematic review.

Importance: Early intervention for neglect or emotional abuse in preschoolers may mitigate lifelong consequences, yet practitioners lack confidence in recognizing these children.

Objective: To define the emotional, behavioral, and developmental features of neglect or emotional abuse in preschoolers.

Evidence Review: A literature search of 18 databases, 6 websites, and supplementary searching performed from January 1, 1960, to February 1, 2011, identified 22 669 abstracts.