MEDICAL MIMICS OF ABUSE
CONDITIONS ALIGNED WITH ABUSE SYMPTOMS
This non-comprehensive list contains medical conditions and traumatic events that can be misinterpreted as signs and symptoms of child abuse and neglect. Years of case data reveal that many of these conditions are often ignored by child abuse investigative teams. The number of medical mimics of abuse and neglect demonstrates a significant need for better adherence to diagnostic protocols.
Intracranial Hemorrhages
Accidental Choking Episode
Accidental Injury
Aneurysm
Benign Enlargement of the Subarachnoid Spaces
Birth Trauma (Prolonged Labor, Forceps, Vacuum Extraction, C-section, etc)
Birth — 46% and 45% of vaginal births result in Subdural Hematoma & Retinal Hemorrhage, respectively
Blood Vessel Disorders (e.g., Arteriovenous Malformation or Aneurysm)
Coagulation Disorders
Congenital Defect
Coughing or Vomiting
Hemophilia
Henoch-Schonlein Purpura
Hydrocephalisis
Hypertension
Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy
Late Hemorrhagic Disease of the Newborn
Leukemia
Macrocephaly
Prematurity
Ruptured Vascular Malformation
Thrombocytopenia
Use of Anticoagulants (e.g., Heparin)
Use of Blood Thinners
Vaccine Reaction
Vascular Malformations
Vitamin D Deficiency
Vitamin K Deficiency
Von Willebrand Disease
Retinal Hemorrhages
Accidental Choking Episode
Accidental Injury
Anemia
Arteriovenous Malformations
Birth Trauma (Prolonged Labor, Forceps, Vacuum Extraction, C-section, etc)
Birth — 46% and 45% of vaginal births result in Subdural Hematoma & Retinal Hemorrhage, respectively
Bleeding Disorders
Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
Cerebral Aneurysm
Coughing or Vomiting
Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation
Glutaric Aciduria Type 1
Henoch-Schonlein Purpura
Hypertension
Hypo- or Hypernatremia
Hypotension
Hypoxia
Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy
Increased Intracranial Pressure
Late Hemorrhagic Disease of the Newborn
Leukemia
Meningitis/Sepsis/Endocarditis
Osteogenesis Imperfecta
Papilledema
Prematurity
Retinal Disease (e.g., Infection, Hemangioma)
Retinal Exams in Premature Infants
Ruptured Vascular Malformation
Sub-acute Bacterial Endocarditis
Thrombocytopenia
Use of Anticoagulants (e.g., Heparin)
Vasculitis
Vitamin D Deficiency
Vitamin K Deficiency
Fractures
Accidental Injury
Alagille Syndrome
Chondrodystrophies
Congenital Hydrocephalus
Congenital Insensitivity to Pain
Congenital Syphilis
Dysplastic Bone Abnormalities
Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome
Infantile Cortical Hyperostosis
Infantile Myofibromatosis
Infectious Conditions
Inherited Systemic Hyalinosis
Metabolic Bone Disease
Neuroblastoma
Nutritional Deficiencies
Osteogenesis Imperfecta
Osteomalacia
Osteomyelitis
Osteopenia
Osteoporosis
Perthes’ Disease
Radiological Motion Artifact
Scoliosis
Steroid Use
Temporary Brittle Bone Disease
Vitamin D Deficiency
Vitamin K Deficiency
X-linked Hypophosphatemia
Bruises
Accidental Injury
Coagulation Defect
Congenital Insensitivity to Pain
Contact Dermatitis and Allergic Reactions
Copper Deficiency
Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome
Erythema Multiforme Hypersensitivity Vasculitis
Glutaric Aciduria Type 2
Hemophilia
Henoch-Schonlein Purpura
Hermansky-Pudlak Syndrome
Hyper-Pigmented Skin Lesions
Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura
Ingestion of Anticoagulants
Leukemia
Lice & Crabs
Marfan Syndrome
Menkes Disease
Millipedes Secretions
Mongolian Spots
Phytophotodermatitis
Seizures
Vitamin C Deficiency
Vitamin K Deficiency
Von Willebrand Disease
Burns
Accidental Burns
Chemical Burns (including commercial vinegar)
Chilblains
Dermatitis Herpetiformis
Diaper Dermatitis
Drug Eruption
Epidermolysis Bullosa
Impetigo (can cause cigarette-like burns)
Mechanical Abrasion
Phytophotodermatitis
Staphylococcal Scalded Skin Syndrome
Varicella
Failure to Thrive
Dubowitz Syndrome
Gastro Esophageal Reflux Association
Glutaric Aciduria Type 1
Metoclopramide
Pseudohypoaldosteronism
Severe Chronic Neutropenia
Short Bowel [Gut] Syndrome
Trifunctional Protein Deficiency