Pulmonary edema associated with child abuse: case reports and review of the literature

Pediatrics. 2001 Sep;108(3):769-75. doi: 10.1542/peds.108.3.769.

Abstract

Pulmonary edema has been an unreported finding in the evaluation of abused children. We describe 2 cases of pulmonary edema in abused infants, 1 after confessed suffocation and the other after inflicted head injury. A review of the literature regarding postobstructive and neurogenic pulmonary edema suggests useful inferences for the forensic evaluation of maltreated children who present with this finding.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Asphyxia / complications*
  • Brain Edema / complications
  • Brain Edema / diagnosis
  • Child Abuse*
  • Craniocerebral Trauma / complications
  • Craniocerebral Trauma / diagnosis
  • Emergencies
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Length of Stay
  • Lung / diagnostic imaging
  • Male
  • Pulmonary Edema / diagnosis*
  • Pulmonary Edema / etiology*
  • Pulmonary Edema / therapy
  • Radiography
  • Respiration, Artificial
  • Suction