Uncommon Manifestations of the Battered Child Syndrome

Abstract

Two very interesting and unusual manifestations of the battered child syndrome appear in this issue (see pp 1335 and 1338). The typical, and most common radiological features of the battered child syndrome have been classically described by Caffey and Silverman, while the typical skin manifestations have been well-described for the past 20 years. More recently, Caffey¹ described the whiplash-shaken infant syndrome caused by manual shaking of the trunk or extremities, resulting in intracranial and intraocular hemorrhage, and linked with residual brain damage and mental retardation, in the abscence of any skull fracture. Additionally, one might list the following: (1) retinal hemorrhages in the absence of any other evidence of intracranial bleeding of skin and roentgenographic manifestations; (2) subgaleal hematomas caused by pulling of braids or a handful of hair; (3) handprint bruises in which a clear area is surrounded by a series of four or five fingermarks; (4) human