Intimate Partner Violence (IPV)

What Not to Miss in the Physical Exam

CHAMP Education for Child Abuse Medical Providers

Sentinel Injuries

  • Relatively minor injuries that are suspicious for child abuse
  • Medically minor sentinel injuries heal without medical intervention
  • Forensically significant sentinel injuries are suspicious and typically occur in younger infants who cannot self inflict injuries
  • A thorough physical exam is critical for detecting sentinel injuries

REFERENCES:

  • Sheets et al 2013
  • Henry & Wood 2021

Accessible Version

In the evaluation of a child who's a suspected victim of child abuse, a comprehensive physical exam is extremely important, with particular attention paid to never miss sentinel injuries in nonverbal children at high risk for abuse. Sentinel injuries are relatively minor injuries that are suspicious for child abuse. These medically minor sentinel injuries may heal without medical intervention. However, they’re forensically significant and are suspicious and typically occur in younger children who cannot self-inflict injuries. So, a thorough physical examination is extremely critical for detecting these sentinel injuries.