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For Immediate Release
Below is a highlight of a study that appeared Jan. 27 at 5 p.m. (ET) on the February PEDIATRICS electronic pages, the Internet extension of Pediatrics, the peer-reviewed, scientific journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). To receive the full text of this study and interview contact information, please contact the AAP Division of Public Relations. The complete study also is available on PEDIATRICS electronic pages at http://www.pediatrics.org.
CHILDREN NO STRANGERS TO FAMILY VIOLENCE
CHICAGO--A study of family violence found that children are often injured during fights between parents, extended family members and even family friends. The study, published on the electronic version of Pediatrics, the journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics, also found that the average injured child was 5 years old and that 48 percent of the children were under 2 years of age. Researchers from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine reviewed the range and severity of domestic violence injuries to 139 children ages 2 weeks to 17 years of age. Most children were injured by being hit directly (36 percent). For the children under 2 years old, 59 percent were injured while being held by a parent. Thirty-nine percent of the children were injured trying to intervene in fights. The majority of injuries were to the head (25 percent), face (19 percent) and eyes (18 percent). Of the 91 percent discharged from the emergency department, 73 percent returned home. It is estimated that more than 3.3 million American children between 3 and 17 years of age are at risk of parental violence each year. Because children sustain a wide range of mostly minor physical injuries, the researchers say detailed questions about all pediatric injuries may help identify children living in an environment with family violence.
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These studies were published in the peer-reviewed scientific journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics, but do not necessarily reflect the opinions or policy of the Academy. The American Academy of Pediatrics is an organization of 53,000 pediatricians dedicated to the health, safety and well-being of infants, children, adolescents and young adults.
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