[Child abuse and violence as reasons for injuries in childhood: results of a monitoring of children and adolescents in South Brandenburg (Germany)].

Background: During childhood injuries are one of the most common reasons for a consultation, second only to infectious diseases. Not as rare as aspected these injuries are caused by maltreatment. The aim of this study is to show the frequency of non-accidental injuries (NAI) in the patient group from a pediatric hospital in East Germany.

Material And Methods: Over a 12-month period all cases of injured children who needed to be hospitalized for treatment were registered. In a computer based questionnaire various parameters, such as age, sex, social status, and accident details were documented.

Results: A total of 573 injured children and adolescents needed inpatient treatment. In 86.7% of the cases injuries resulted from an accident. In 8.6% of all cases a connection to violence could be found mostly in the form of head and soft tissue injuries.

Conclusion: The findings show the importance of a detailed and specific anamnesis and physical exploration of children with trauma. Recognition of maltreated children does not only apply to pediatricians, but also to physicians of several specializations.