CHILD MALTREATMENT

Volume 29, Issue 515 May 12, 2008

Matthew Gever

Over 91,000 infants were the victims of maltreatment during their first year of life, with a third of suffering abuse or neglect in their first week of life, according to a new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The study is the first ever of nonfatal maltreatment of children 1 year old or less.

This number, measured in fiscal year 2006, accounts for a rate of 23 out of every1,000 1 year olds suffering a form of mistreatment, a significantly higher rate than any other age group. Additionally, 499 of these infants dies as a result of maltreatment during that time. "Neglect, or the failure to provide for a child’s basic physical and emotional needs, or to protect a child from harm accounted for the majority of the documented reports of maltreated infants less than one week old," said Ileana Arias, director of the CDC National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, during a teleconference. Researchers speculated that this age group was particularly vulnerable because of their complete dependence on their caregivers. Recommendations include more counseling for pregnant women and encouraging doctors, relatives and other authorities to report suspicions of abuse.

Researchers collected the data in 2006 from 44 states plus the District through the National Child Abuse and Neglect Data System, which compiles reports from child protective service agencies.

Map of Victimization Rates, 2006

Map of Victimization rates

Victimization Rates by Age Group, 2006

Victim Rates by Age Group

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Nonfatal Maltreatment of Infants --- United States, October 2005--September 2006, MMWR Weekly, 57(13);336-339, April 4, 2008, accessed at http://www.cdc.gov/mmwR/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5713a2.htm