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Child Abuse in Kuwait: Problems in Management
Wafa'a Al-Ateeqia, Issa Shabanib, Aida Abdulmalika
Paediatric Departments,
aAl-Amiri Hospital and
bMubarak Al-Kabeer Hospital, Kuwait
Abstract
Objectives: To explore the extent of child abuse in Kuwait and examine the difficulties associated with its management. Subjects and Methods: A retrospective analysis of the 60,640 medical records of children admitted to Al-Amiri and Mubarak Al-Kabeer Hospitals, Kuwait, between 1991 and 1998 was done. Results: Of the 60,640 records, 16 children showed evidence of abuse. Of these, the perpetrator was a parent in 75% of the cases, which involved the following abuses: physical, 13; sexual, 2; and Munchausen syndrome by proxy in 1. Children with physical abuse had more than one type that included bruises (77%), burns (38%), intracranial haemorrhage (38%), fractures (23%) and cut wounds (15%). Seven of the children were returned to their biological parents, 7 were lost to follow-up and 2 died. Conclusion: Child abuse exists in Kuwait and is probably underreported. Management proceedings are not ideal and guidelines as well as legislation are needed
Medical Principles and Practice 2002;11:131-135
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