Child maltreatment-related children's emergency department visits before and during the COVID-19 pandemic in Connecticut.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Previous studies of national emergency department (ED) data demonstrate a decrease in visits coded for physical abuse during the pandemic period. However, no study to date has examined the incidence of multiple child maltreatment types (physical abuse, sexual abuse, and neglect), within a single state while considering state-specific closure policies. Furthermore, no similar study has utilized detailed chart review to identify cases, nor compared hospital data to Child Protective Services (CPS) reports.

Objective

To determine the incidence of child maltreatment-related ED visits before and during the COVID-19 pandemic, including characterizing the type of maltreatment, severity, and CPS reporting.

Participants and setting

Children younger than 18 years old

SUBMITTER: Amick M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8958138 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature