The evaluation of children in the primary care setting when sexual abuse is suspected.
Abstract
This clinical report updates a 2005 report from the American Academy of Pediatrics on the evaluation of sexual abuse in children. The medical assessment of suspected child sexual abuse should include obtaining a history, performing a physical examination, and obtaining appropriate laboratory tests. The role of the physician includes determining the need to report suspected sexual abuse; assessing the physical, emotional, and behavioral consequences of sexual abuse; providing information to parents about how to support their child; and coordinating with other professionals to provide comprehensive treatment and follow-up of children exposed to child sexual abuse.
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History and reported type of sexual contact might not be a reliable indicator.
“History and reported type of sexual contact might not be a reliable indicator, and urogenital, pharyngeal, and rectal testing should be considered for preverbal children and children who cannot verbalize details of the assault (1438,1449).”
From Sexually Transmitted Infections Treatment Guidelines, 2021 (2021) · cites this paper as [1438]
Identification of STIs in children past the neonatal period strongly indicates sexual abuse.
“Identification of STIs in children past the neonatal period strongly indicates sexual abuse (1438).”
From Sexually Transmitted Infections Treatment Guidelines, 2021 (2021) · cites this paper as [1438]
Postnatally acquired gonorrhea, syphilis, chlamydia, and T. vaginalis infection and nontransfusion, nonperinatally acquired HIV infection are indicative of sexual abuse.
“Postnatally acquired gonorrhea, syphilis, chlamydia, and T. vaginalis infection and nontransfusion, nonperinatally acquired HIV infection are indicative of sexual abuse.”
From Sexually Transmitted Infections Treatment Guidelines, 2021 (2021) · cites this paper as [1438]
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Sexually Transmitted Infections Treatment Guidelines, 2021
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Wrongful convictions and claims of false or misleading forensic evidence
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Self-citation
- Authors
- Jenny, C., Crawford-Jakubiak, J. E., COMMITTEE ON CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT, Jenny, C., Crawford-Jakubiak, J. E., Christian, C. W., Crawford-Jakubiak, J. E., Flaherty, E. G., Leventhal, J. M., Lukefahr, J. L., & Sege, R. D.
- Venue
- PEDIATRICS
- Publisher
- American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)
- Published
- 2013-08-01
- Volume
- 132
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- e558-e567
- ISSN
- 0031-4005 (ISSN-L)
- 1098-4275
- OpenAlex
- W2162731615
- Cited by
- 222
- References
- 73
- Citations by year
- 2026: 10 · 2025: 14 · 2024: 13 · 2023: 16 · 2022: 27 · 2021: 20 · 2020: 29 · 2019: 12 · 2018: 14 · 2017: 22 · 2016: 13 · 2015: 19 · 2014: 12
- FWCI
- 2.09
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- PEDIATRICS (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Pediatrics, Perinatology and Child Health › Child Abuse and Related Trauma
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Child Abuse and Trauma
- Social Sciences › Gender Studies › Sexual Assault and Victimization Studies
- Keywords
- child sexual abuse, medical assessment, medical history, physical examination, laboratory testing, mandatory reporting, parental support, multidisciplinary care, primary care
- MeSH terms
- Adolescent, Child, Child Abuse, Sexual, Cooperative Behavior, Cross-Sectional Studies, Female, Follow-Up Studies, Humans, Interview, Psychological, Male, Medical History Taking, Physical Examination, Primary Health Care, Professional-Family Relations, Self Disclosure, Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Mandatory Reporting, Interdisciplinary Communication
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