Children with medical complexity are a heterogeneous subset of children and youth with special health care needs who typically have multiple chronic medical conditions. Some children with medical complexity are suspected to be victims of medical child abuse (MCA) before they are eventually diagnosed with a medical condition explaining their symptoms and signs. Conversely, it is important to identify whether a child is a victim of medical child abuse versus a child with medical complexity. During this presentation, we will discuss factors associated with missed diagnosis of medical child abuse. Additionally, we will discuss how medical providers may contribute to erroneous and missed diagnoses of MCA. We will conclude with how to approach management of children with medical complexity vs MCA patients.
Learning Objectives:
To discuss children with medical complexity (CMC) and medical child abuse (MCA)
To identify ways to differentiate CMC from MCA
To effectively manage patients at risk of medical child abuse
