Dermatological findings following child abuse

Child abuse frequently results in visible physical effects like bruises and burns. These may lead to specific emotional consequences as the abuse and the emotions associated with it, such as pain, fear, humiliation and shame, become obvious. The experience of violence also has more general psychological, psychosomatic and cognitive effects. Psychological coping of these traumatic experiences leads to a wide range of emotional problems and behavioural abnormalities. They are accompanied by a stress induced chronic state of hyperarousal of the catecholinergic system resulting in biologically measurable changes in the neuroendocrine system and structural damage of the brain. Skin lesions resulting from child abuse are diagnosed mainly by characteristic configuration and site, and to a lesser extent by different age. Correct examination, documentation and assessment of all manifestations of abuse are crucial for intervention and therapy.