When Child Neglect Is an Emergency

Neglect is the most prevalent form of child maltreatment. Neglect can lead to serious medical issues requiring emergency department care including injuries, ingestions, decompensation of chronic illnesses, and urgent behavioral health concerns. Knowledge of different types of neglect, and of how each type could result in an emergency department (ED) visit could help clinicians to recognize and respond to neglect. This review will outline super visor y, medical, dental, emotional, and physical neglect. Children could also present to the ED for evaluation after a substantiated report for neglect. Therefore, this review also covers important elements of medical evaluations for children who have experienced neglect. Neglect is the most common reason for foster care placement, and considerations for emergency medicine providers caring for children in foster care are outlined. Avenues for prevention of neglect in the ED setting are also discussed.