The Pediatrician’s Role in Preventing Child Maltreatment: Clinical Report

• DOI: 10.1542/peds.2024-067608
• Publication Date: 2024-07-22T08:06:13Z
• Authors: John Stirling; Amy Gavril; Brian Brennan; Robert D. Sege; Howard Dubowitz; ; Suzanne Breen Haney; Antoinette Laskey; Andrea Asnes; Verena Brown; Amy Gavril; Rebecca G. Girardet; Nancy Heavilin; Amanda Bird Hoffe...; Sheila M. Idzerda; Natalie Kissoon; Lori Anne Legano; Stephen Anthony M...; Bethany Anne Mohr; Patricia Morgan; Shalon Marie Nienow; Norell Rosado; Rachael Keefe; Brooks Keeshin; Jennifer Matjasko; Serena Wagoner; Elaine Stedt; Tammy Piazza Hurley; Jeff Hudson
• Keywords: 03 medical and health sciences; 0302 clinical medicine; Adolescent; Child, Preschool; Humans; Infant; Child Abuse; Pediatricians; Physician's Role; Child; Pediatrics

Pediatricians have always seen the value of preventing health harms; this should be no less true for child maltreatment than disease or unintentional injuries. Research continues to demonstrate that can prevented, underscoring vital roles both family and society in healthy childhood development importance strong, stable, nurturing relationships building child’s resilience adversity. This clinical report elaborates pediatrician’s multitiered role supporting relational from infancy through adolescence, universal interventions assessing risks protective factors targeted addressing identified needs on strengths. When has already occurred, prevent further victimization mitigate long-term sequelae. Advice is provided engaging community resources, including those provide food, shelter, financial support families need.