Inflicted paediatric head injury is a significant issue in both Australia and New Zealand. They are a major contributor to morbidity and mortality in infants and toddlers, data however comparing patterns of injury in corroborated accidental trauma and confessed child abuse is scarce.
Ethical challenges and dilemmas don’t happen in a vacuum. In the clinical setting, they very frequently play out in a context of heightened emotions, for the patient, the family and also for the clinical staff.
Dr Catherine D DeAngelis is Johns Hopkins University Distinguished Service Professor Emerita, Professor Emerita at the Johns Hopkins University Schools of Medicine (Pediatrics) and School of Public Health (Health Policy and Management), and Editor-in-Chief Emerita of JAMA, the Journal of the American Medical Association (2000-2011), serving as the first woman Editor in Chief.
