Episode 125: Child Abuse in the Pediatric ED with Dr. Toni Laskey

The podcast addresses the critical issue of child abuse and neglect, focusing on recognition and response in the pediatric emergency department. Dr. Toni Laskey, a child abuse physician, provides insights into identifying sentinel injuries in non-mobile infants, such as torn frenula, often mistaken as self-inflicted. She also dispels myths surrounding subconjunctival hemorrhages, emphasizing their link to inflicted trauma rather than common causes like coughing or vomiting. Laskey stresses the importance of accurate, objective documentation of physical findings, advising against subjective speculation to avoid anchoring bias in investigations. She recommends that physicians summarize concerns for trauma, differentiating between accidental, unidentified, or inflicted causes, and advocates for clear communication with child welfare services to ensure child safety.