Rise in the incidence of abusive head trauma during the COVID-19 pandemic

TLDR

Recent literature suggests a possible rise in child abuse during the COVID‑19 pandemic. The authors compared suspected abusive head trauma cases during the UK lockdown (23 Mar–23 Apr 2020) to the preceding three years, assessing all children with ophthalmology, skeletal survey, CT, MRI, and recording demographics, parental vulnerabilities, and socioeconomic indices. During the lockdown period, ten children (six boys, four girls; mean age 192 days) were identified with suspected abusive head trauma, indicating a marked increase compared to the prior three years.

Abstract

Recent literature highlights a possible increase in child abuse during the coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic.1 We report a marked increase in the incidence of abusive head trauma (AHT) at our institution. We reviewed the incidence of suspected AHT between 23 March and 23 April 2020—the month that the United Kingdom entered a period of national self-isolation—and compared this with the incidence in the previous 3 years. All children received an ophthalmological assessment, skeletal survey, and computed tomography scan and magnetic resonance imaging of the head and whole spine as part of their investigation. Demographic data and clinical findings were recorded, including parental vulnerabilities and socioeconomic indexing by the Index of Multiple Deprivation. Ten children (six boys, four girls; mean age 192 days, range 17 to 401 days) with suspected AHT were seen during this time in comparison with a mean …