Child abuse - physical


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Fracture types (1)
Fracture types (1)

The following medical conditions have symptoms similar to physical abuse:

  • Osteogenesis imperfecta - almost all children with this condition have an abnormal (blue) coloring of the whites of the eyes. These children may have spontaneous fractures or break bones after normal accidents that would not harm the bones of a normal child.
  • Undetected bleeding disorders such as hemophilia, Von Willebrand's disease, or liver disease can lead to abnormal bruising patterns. The doctor can test for these disorders.
  • Unusual bruising and scarring patterns can also be caused by folk medicine or Oriental medicine practices such as coin rubbing, cupping, and burning herbs on the skin over acupuncture points (called moxibustion). The doctor should always ask about alternative healing practices.


Review Date: 12/11/2006
Reviewed By: Rachel A. Lewis, MD, FAAP, Columbia University Pediatric Faculty Practice, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.


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