Sentinel injuries: subtle findings of physical abuse.
Injuries, other than abrasions, are rare in precruising infants. In this population, a history or observation of a sentinel skin injury, intraoral injury, or musculoskeletal injury without a plausible explanation, is concerning for physical abuse. A precruising infant with a sentinel injury should be medically evaluated for occult injury and predisposing medical conditions, as well as reported to authorities for further investigation. Early identification of sentinel injuries and appropriate interventions can prevent further abuse.
['Petska|Hillary W|HW|', 'Sheets|Lynn K|LK|']
D002648:Child D002649:Child Abuse D006801:Humans D007223:Infant D012307:Risk Factors D018571:Sentinel Surveillance D014947:Wounds and Injuries
Sentinel injury Precruising Infants Prevention Abusive head trauma Bruising Child abuse