A case report for differential diagnosis: Integrative medicine vs child abuse

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2010

Authors

Ribeiro, CS (Author) Other; Rodrigues, F (Author) Other; Ribeiro, C (Author) Other; Teresa Magalhães (Author) ICBAS

Journal

The Journal is awaiting validation by the Administrative Services.

Title: LEGAL MEDICINE

Vol. 12

Pages: 316-319

ISSN: 1344-6223

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 4 Citations

Scopus - 5 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-003-1JE

DOI: 10.1016/j.legalmed.2010.08.003

Abstract (EN): The authors present the case of a ten-year-old Chinese boy who was taken to a hospital due to the presence of suspicious bruises on his body The child was examined in the National Institute of Legal Medicine by forensic doctors and a forensic psychologist Clinical characteristics of the case are summarized stressing that a better understanding of some kinds of integrative medicine (IM) may help to differentiate injuries resulting from those practices This is the only and unique case diagnosed by the medico-legal services in Portugal. In fact a great range of IM practice has the potential to create confusion in the diagnosis of physical child abuse This study focuses on the differential diagnosis of one specific kind of frequent skin injury usually seen in situations of both child abuse and IM (in this case Tur Na) - bruises As the number of people who practice Traditional Chinese Medicine and other forms of IM increases in the Western world, the child protection community would benefit from familiarizing itselves with these practices to pi event social and/or legal conflicts that may arise from mistaken diagnoses of abuse The objective of this case report is to emphasize the relevance of comprehensive and interdisciplinary evaluation of child abuse cases taking into account the specifics of each case, to achieve a proper diagnosis

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 4