A study published in Pediatric Discovery on February 26, 2025, by researchers from Children's Hospital Los Angeles and the University of Southern California, has uncovered concerning trends in child physical abuse (CPA) during the COVID-19 pandemic. The research, which analyzed skeletal survey data from 479 pediatric patients between 2019 and 2020, found that while the overall incidence of CPA remained stable, there was a notable decrease in severe head injuries, such as intracranial and retinal hemorrhages.
The study's findings indicate that the proportion of intracranial hemorrhage cases dropped from 59% to 25%, and retinal hemorrhage cases from 38% to just 5% during the pandemic. This suggests a potential shift in how abusive injuries were inflicted or detected, rather than a reduction in abuse itself. Dr. Joseph M. Rich, co-author of the study, expressed concern over the possibility that serious injuries may have been missed or not brought to medical attention due to disrupted care systems and reduced mandatory reporting during the pandemic.
The research underscores the importance of enhancing child abuse detection strategies during public health emergencies. Recommendations include increasing remote monitoring capabilities for physicians and educators, expanding training in telehealth abuse indicators, and strengthening support networks for families. The study also calls for longitudinal studies across different regions to fully understand the evolving patterns of child harm and to ensure protective measures are effective in future crises.
For more details on the study, visit https://doi.org/10.1002/pdi3.2526.
