Re-evaluation of medical findings in alleged shaken baby syndrome and abusive head trauma in Norwegian courts fails to support abuse diagnoses.
abusive head trauma
benign external hydrocephalus
child abuse
shaken baby syndrome
subdural haematoma
Journal
Acta paediatrica (Oslo, Norway : 1992)
ISSN: 1651-2227
Titre abrégé: Acta Paediatr
Pays: Norway
ID NLM: 9205968
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
Apr 2022
Apr 2022
Historique:
revised:
19
05
2021
received:
23
03
2021
accepted:
24
05
2021
pubmed:
28
5
2021
medline:
12
4
2022
entrez:
27
5
2021
Statut:
ppublish
Résumé
The criteria for diagnosing abusive head trauma (AHT) are not well defined and this condition might be diagnosed on failing premises. Our aim was to review criminal AHT cases in Norwegian courts by scrutinising the underlying medical documentation. Cases were identified in the data registry for Norwegian courts from 2004 to 2015. Documentation was obtained from relevant health institutions. The medical co-authors first made independent evaluations of the documentation for each child, followed by a consensus evaluation. A total of 17 children (11 boys) were identified, all diagnosed as AHT by court appointed experts, 15 were infants (mean age 2.6 months). A high proportion (41.2%) was born to immigrant parents and 31.3% were premature. The medical findings could be explained by alternative diagnoses in 16 of the 17 children; 8 boys (7 infants - mean age 2.9 months) had clinical and radiological characteristics compatible with external hydrocephalus complicated by chronic subdural haematoma. Six children (five infants with mean age 2.1 months) had a female preponderance and findings compatible with hypoxic ischaemic insults. The medical condition in most children had not necessarily been caused by shaking or direct impact, as was originally concluded by the court experts.
Types de publication
Journal Article
Langues
eng
Sous-ensembles de citation
IM
Pagination
779-792Commentaires et corrections
Type : ErratumIn
Informations de copyright
©2021 Foundation Acta Paediatrica. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
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