Estimation of the Age of Cutaneous Contusions in Child Abuse

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Estimation of the age of a cutaneous contusion on an abused child is probably more often requested of pediatricians and family practitioners than of pathologists. Guidelines for this estimation are not easily found and are not available in a standard textbook on child abuse.1 Some previously reported guidelines are presented below, modified only by being placed in tabular form (Table).2-6 A contusion of the skin follows the application of blunt force sufficient to disrupt vessels, usually capillaries, from which blood escapes and accumulates in the corium and/or subcutis, without loss of the integrity of the surface of the skin. The bleeding usually starts immediately following disruption of the vessel wall and may continue only briefly or persist for hours.

This publication has 0 references indexed in Scilit: