Prevalence of Abuse-Specific Injuries in Infants With Prior Injury Evaluated for Abuse

Authors

• Nara Cho
• Kristin G Crichton
• Sara Helwig
• Krista K Wheeler
• Rachel M Stanley
• Megan M Letson
• Kristine A Campbell
• Angela N Bachim
• Colleen J Bressler
• Carmen M Coombs
• Lori Frasier
• Nicole Johnson
• Sara Kilbride
• Jan Leonard
• Daniel M Lindberg
• Noelle T Tran
• Joanne N Wood
• Farah W Brink

Language

English

Publication Date

1-1-2025

Journal

Pediatrics Open Science

DOI

10.1542/pedsos.2025-000731

PMID

41602585

PMCID

PMC12834559

PubMedCentral® Posted Date

1-27-2026

PubMedCentral® Full Text Version

Author MSS

Abstract

Background and objectives: Physical abuse is a common cause of morbidity in infants but is often missed in those with medically minor injuries, increasing the risk for escalating violence. Our objective was to compare the prevalence of abuse-specific injuries among infants with and without prior injuries.

Methods: This is a retrospective, multicenter study of infants (aged < 12 months) undergoing child abuse pediatrics provider (CAP) consultation for suspected physical abuse between 2/2021 and 12/2022 at 10 participating US centers. Encounters were dichotomized into those with and without history of prior injury. The groups were compared for rates of diagnostic screening and prevalence of abuse-specific injuries. The association of prior injuries with identification of abuse-specific injury was assessed using logistic regression controlling for demographics and presence of prior injury.

Results: We identified 2352 eligible encounters (median age: 4.2 months), of which 13% had a history of prior injury. In infants who underwent diagnostic testing, injury identification was significantly higher in those with prior injury (45% vs 22%, P < .05). Adjusting for patient characteristics, the presence of prior injury in infants was associated with higher odds of at least 1 type of abuse-specific injury being identified, compared with those without prior injury (adjusted odds ratio = 2.81, 95% CI = 2.10-3.76).

Conclusion: Infants with prior injury undergoing CAP evaluation for suspected physical abuse have higher odds of abuse-specific injuries compared with those without prior injury. This study emphasizes the importance of standardized history and evaluation in infants presenting with concerning injuries.

Published Open-Access

yes

Recommended Citation

Cho, Nara; Crichton, Kristin G; Helwig, Sara; et al., "Prevalence of Abuse-Specific Injuries in Infants With Prior Injury Evaluated for Abuse" (2025). Faculty, Staff and Students Publications. 7751.
https://digitalcommons.library.tmc.edu/baylor_docs/7751