Pediatric Neglect

Neglect is when a parent or caregiver ignores a child’s physical or emotional needs, which results in harm or injury.

What is Pediatric Neglect?

Neglect is typically defined by a pattern of poor care that is marked by a lack of action by a parent or caregiver.

Neglect covers a wide range of situations, including not providing a child with proper supervision, food, housing, medications or necessary personal items. Neglect can impact a child at any age.

What are the signs and symptoms of Pediatric Neglect?

Emotional signs and physical symptoms of neglect often go hand in hand, but will differ between age groups and situations. Neglect can have immediate and lasting symptoms, including:

Abuses drugs or alcohol
Body odor or consistently dirty
Broken bones, bruises and other common injuries
Burns
Cognitive impairment (trouble remembering and learning new things)
Dehydration
Delayed motor development and physical skills, including rolling over, sitting, standing or walking
Delayed or stunted growth
Emotional and behavioral problems
Frequently misses school or is consistently late
Is noticeably home alone
Infestations (lice, bedbugs, scabies)
Lacks proper clothing for weather
Malnutrition (missing key vitamins and nutrients) and weight loss
Often falls asleep at school or public locations
States no one is ever home to help with homework
Steals or begs for money, food, clothes and personal items