Dec 30, 2024 Story by: Editor
Black children are more likely to be suspected of child abuse compared to children of other racial and ethnic groups, according to a study published online on Dec. 18 in JAMA Network Open.
The research, led by Dr. Fereshteh Salimi-Jazi from Stanford University School of Medicine, examined racial and ethnic disparities in suspicions of child abuse (SCA) among pediatric trauma patients. Data was drawn from a retrospective multicenter cross-sectional study conducted between 2022 and 2024.
Key Findings
The study analyzed data from 634,309 pediatric patients, categorizing 13,579 cases as suspected child abuse (21.2% Black, 16.9% Hispanic, and 41.8% white), while 620,730 cases were not linked to abuse (13.9% Black, 17.5% Hispanic, and 48.1% white).
The racial and ethnic distribution of the non-SCA group aligned with the 2010 U.S. Census, whereas Black and Hispanic children were disproportionately represented in the SCA group. Specifically, the odds of Black children being suspected of abuse were 1.75 times higher, and for Hispanic children, 1.11 times higher than Census expectations. In contrast, white children were underrepresented in the SCA subgroup.
After accounting for socioeconomic factors and hospital characteristics, Black race remained an independent risk factor for SCA (odds ratio, 1.10), while Hispanic ethnicity appeared to be protective (odds ratio, 0.71).
Extended Hospital Stays for Black Children
The study also highlighted disparities in hospital stays for suspected abuse cases. Black children with mild-to-moderate injuries had hospital stays 26.5% longer than white children, while those with severe injuries had stays 40.1% longer.
Addressing Bias in Diagnosis
The authors suggested that unconscious bias might contribute to disparities in diagnosing nonaccidental trauma. They recommended developing a standardized screening tool to mitigate such biases.
“Developing a standardized screening tool may help eliminate unconscious bias in diagnosing nonaccidental trauma among different races and ethnicities,” the study authors wrote.
This research underscores the need for systemic changes in healthcare to ensure equitable treatment for all children, particularly Black and Hispanic populations disproportionately affected by suspicions of child abuse. Source: MedicalXpress
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