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Characteristic bruises

Authoring team

Characteristic bruises in chlld abuse include:

  • fingertip pattern bruises especially on the back
  • bilateral thumb marks in the area under clavicles
  • bruising of face or head
  • bruising of genitalia
  • limbs bruises - often in pattern of fingertips
  • body or limb bruises - linear, made by belt or strap
  • marks from teeth

Reference

  1. Dunstan FD, Guildea ZE, Kontos K, et al. A scoring system for bruise patterns: a tool for identifying abuse. Arch Dis Child. 2002 May;86(5):330-3.

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