The incidence of fatal child abuse on death certificates in the United States is underestimate. Despite the growth of state fatality review teams over the last decade, absence of accurate data continues and is due to a number of factors including restrictions and inaccuracies in coding causes of death, incomplete or inaccurate, and lack of perpetrator information on death certificates. The absence of a national system is to review child homicides with categorization into abuse or non-abuse.
We found 43 homicides of children younger than 11 years on death certificates in Kansas City, Missouri from 1990 to 1998. There were only 22 child homicides (51.2%) due to child battering and other maltreatment. Approximately 25% (10 homicides) were coded as assault by unspecified means on death certificates. The Child Fatality Review Panel found 32 out of 43 child homicides (74.4%) due to abuse. We found that significant underestimate of child abuse homicides in vital records. Improved recording of such incidences should be set a priority so that prevention strategies can be appropriately targeted and outcomes monitored.
Learning Objectives: The incidence of fatal child abuse on death certificates in the United States is underestimate. The absence of a national system is to review child homicides with categorization into abuse or non-abuse
Keywords: Affirmative Action, Registry
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Vital records
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.