Child abuse is a very serious matter, and is extremely important when dealing with babies and small toddlers because they often cannot effectively communicate their situation and are thus more helpless and at greater risk than school-age children. If you suspect a child is the victim of abuse, be aware of any of the following warning signs.
An abused child may exhibit a sudden fear of a particular location, gender, or physical appearance (e.g. women with long brown hair, men with beards, etc.) They may cry when being dropped off at daycare or seem uncomfortable and avoidant around caregivers and other adults. Conversely, they may exhibit greater fear of being left alone or separated from a parent when in the presence of the abusive party.
Sexual abuse victims may be afraid of getting undressed for bathing, or abnormally uncomfortable with doctor visits. They may also show signs of regression, i.e. a potty-trained child going back to wetting his pants; thumb sucking; decrease in verbal skills.
Toddlers may have interruptions in their sleep pattern and more frequent nightmares.
Be aware of increased interest in sexuality or an age-inappropriate knowledge of sexual behaviors.
Abused toddlers may be unable to engage in normal, interactive play with their peers.
Look for sudden, drastic personality changes. A normally outgoing and assertive child may become unusually compliant and passive, while a generally mild child may act in a demanding and aggressive manner. The child may become less talkative or stop communicating almost completely, or display signs of a speech disorder such as stuttering.
Watch out for external signs of physical abuse such as bruises, burns, black eyes, cuts, abrasions, and other injuries. It's normal for children to bruise their knees, shins, elbows, and forehead as they interact with the physical environment -- but bruises are more suspect if they appear in unusual places such as the face, head, chest, back, arms, or genitalia.
Infants may display changes in appetite, a total loss of interest in food, unexplained gagging and vomiting, and other symptoms related to emotional stress
Since every child develops at a different rate, it can be difficult to determine whether a developmental delay stems from abuse or complaining of headaches or stomachaches that have no medical cause.
Shaken Baby Syndrome (SBS) is a common form of abuse in which the infant is subject to forceful, violent shaking that can lead to long-term disability and even mortality. Depending on the duration and intensity of the episode, signs of SBS can include retinal damage, lethargy, tremors, vomiting, irritability, seizures, decreased appetite, an inability to lift the head, and difficulty breathing