Think Again. Issue 10 (October 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Yalındağ-Öztürk, Nilüfer; Erkek, Nilgün; Şirinoğlu, Melis Bayram
• Is Part Of: Pediatric emergency care. Volume 31:Issue 10(2015)
• Publication Date: 2015-10
• Subjects: Pediatric emergencies -- Periodicals; 618.92002505
• DOI: 10.1097/PEC.0000000000000363
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0749-5161

Abstract

<abstract> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <sec> <title>Abstract</title> <p>Apparent life-threatening events caused by Munchausen syndrome by proxy (MSP) are rare but difficult to resolve medically. Failure to properly diagnose MSP can lead to further abuse by the caregiver and increase the risk of complications due to long hospital stays and invasive tests. In this paper, we describe our experiences with a baby who ended up being diagnosed with MSP, including our initial failure to find a pathology, delay of MSP diagnosis, our growing suspicion of MSP despite technical setbacks, our actions after we confirmed MSP as the cause of his hospitalizations. We also describe the difficulties of diagnosing MSP compared to more traditional problems and explain a series of precautions and guidelines to help detect it in a timely manner.</p> </sec> </abstract>