Child protection medical assessments (CPMA) during first lockdown-comparison with previous year

Abstract

Abstract Background COVID 19 pandemic has caused significant disruption in healthcare and social services nationwide and probably all over the planet. Various national and international agencies have raised concerns that perpetrators may take advantage of school closure and lockdown. Initial reports also have suggested that there was a nationwide increase in number of young infants admitted with abusive head trauma but generally a decrease in CPMA referrals during the first nationwide lockdown in summer 2020.

Objectives Objective of our study is to look at the impact of COVID-19 related first lockdown on CPMA referral numbers in Bedford. Paediatric team at Bedford hospital does CPMAs for physical abuse in children who are under the age of 2 years and children presenting in out of hours. Rest of the CPMAs for physical abuse and neglect medicals for all ages are seen at Bedford Community Paediatric services.

Methods We looked at total number of CPMA done at Bedford hospital and Bedford community paediatric services between 01/04/2020 to 30/09/2020(6 months). Total number of CPMA for physical abuse and neglect were collected and compared with numbers during same time period in 2019.

Results Number of CPMAs due to neglect was up by 178% when compared to same time frame in 2019 but number of physical abuse was down by 25%. Overall, total number of children who had CPMAs in Bedford was more (12.2%) increase in April to September in 2020 in comparison to 2019 (table 1). There was not much increase in number CPMAs done in children under 2 years of age (4% increase only - 26 in 2020 April to September and 25 in same time frame in 2019).

View inline View popup Abstract 602 Table 1 Conclusions We have seen a decrease in referrals for physical abuse but more CPMAs were done during this period for neglect. There was no significant increase in number of CPMAs done in children less than 2 years of age.

This is an interesting observation and further research and data collection should be encouraged to see the national trend.

https://doi.org/10.1136/archdischild-2021-rcpch.94