Appendices : Appendix D
Findings That May Be Confused with Abuse
Examination Findings in Newborns That Are Due to Birth Trauma
- Retinal hemorrhages may be normal up to six weeks
- Facial or other petechiae or bruises up to one week after birth
- Skull fractures
- Clavicle fractures
- Erb's palsy due to positioning of the child's arm during birth
Other Newborn Examination Findings
- Vaginal discharge in female newborns, possibly bloody
- Variations of normal hymen configurations
- Congenital pigmented lesions (Mongolian spots)
Toddler and Preschooler Findings
- Bruising due to other causes (hematologic or syndrome such as Ehler's Danlos)
- Straddle injury of the genital area
- Vaginal discharge due to other causes of vaginitis
- Genital complaints due to urinary tract infection, perianal or perivaginal pinworms, Group A Strep, cellulitis, or lichen sclerosis et atrophicus
- Urethral prolapse
Middle Childhood and Adolescent Findings
- Bruising due to other causes (hematologic or syndrome such as Ehler's Danlos)
- Straddle injury of the genital area
- Vaginal discharge due to other causes of vaginitis
- Genital complaints due to urinary tract infection, perianal or perivaginal pinworms, Group A Strep, cellulitis, or lichen sclerosis et atrophicus
- Urethral prolapse
