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Features of non-accidental injury (injury that should raise concerns) in a child in comparison to features suggestive of an accidental injury in a child

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

Authoring team

The assessment of any physical injury involves three stages:

  • evaluating the injury itself, its extent, site and any particular patterns
  • taking a history to understand how and why the injury occurred and whether the findings match the story given
  • exploring the broader picture (e.g. the child's behaviour, the parent-child interaction, underlying risk factors or markers of emotional abuse or neglect)

Types of injury:

  • bruising
  • burns
  • bite marks
  • eye injuries
  • bone fractures
  • abrasions and lacerations
  • intra-oral injuries

Typical features of accidental injuries

 

 

Typical features of non-accidental injuries (injuries that should raise concerns)

 

Figures reproduced with permission from Harris J, Sidebotham P, Welbury R et al. Child protection and the dental team: an introduction to safeguarding children in dental practice. COPDEND: Sheffield, 2006/2013, www.bda.org/childprotection

For detailed description of the types of non-accidental injuries then see

https://bda.org/childprotection/Recognising/Pages/Physical.aspx


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