NEONATAL ABUSE

Abuse is rare in the neonatal period. Linear cutaneous equimosis may be a cutaneous sign of trauma (Figure 308.1). The suspicion of child abuse warrants a very careful clinical evaluation including ophthalmological evaluation for retinal bleeding (Fgure 308.1), bone survey, and a social worker consultation. The differential diagnosis of neonatal abuse includes cutis mamorata telangelactica, congenital reticulated vascular pattern, epidermolysis bullosa simplex, epidermolysis bullosa (scalded skin), and osteogenesis imperfecta.

A	B

Figure 308.1.— Neonatal abuse. [A] Cutaneous lesions in an abused neonate. Linear bruises over the skin. [B] Retinal hemorrhages.