Publications by authors named "Robert M Reece"
Claims that new science is changing accepted medical opinion about abusive head injury have been made frequently in the media, legal publications and in legal cases involving abusive head trauma (AHT). This review analyzes recently published scientific articles about AHT to determine whether this new information has led to significant changes in the understanding, evaluation and management of children with suspected AHT. Several specific topics are examined: serious or fatal injuries from short falls; specificity of subdural hematoma for severe trauma; biomechanical explanations for findings; the specificity of retinal hemorrhages; the possibility of cerebral sinus thrombosis presenting with signs similar to AHT; and whether vaccines can produce such findings.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFArticle Synopsis
- Understanding the incidence of "shaken baby syndrome" (SBS) requires clarity on its definition, which has evolved since the 1980s and includes various related terms like shaken impact syndrome and abusive head trauma.
- Different researchers have proposed distinct definitions for SBS, including a research-based definition from Keenan, a clinical definition from Minns, and a combined definition from Livingston and Childs that incorporates clinical features and event history.
- An analysis of eight articles on SBS published over the last two decades led to the development of a comprehensive definition reflecting common themes identified in these studies.
Training of medical professionals about child maltreatment may provide useful insights into the means of incorporating violence detection and prevention into healthcare practice. Despite major progress since Caffey and Kempe identified child abuse as a medical issue, more needs to be done to ensure that proper recognition, diagnostic, and reporting strategies are used when faced with the possible abuse and neglect of children. Systematic data concerning training programs are lacking.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjectives: The objectives of this study were to describe the number of children with suspected abuse or neglect (CAN) cared for in selected children's hospitals, to determine how they are tracked and followed, and to better describe the composition, function, and financial support of child protection teams (CPTs).
Methods: A self-administered survey was mailed to child abuse contact leaders at institutions that were members of the National Association of Children's Hospitals and Related Institutions in 2001. Responses from rehabilitation hospitals and those that did not indicate whether a CPT was present were excluded.