Misshandlungssyndrom mit Gefahr des Rezidivs bei Geschwisterkindern

We report the cases of four abused children from two families, in which despite a correct medical diagnosis social and legal measures failed to protect children from further harms and injuries. As a consequence one of the children already seriously harmed by abuse was injured again; in both families a second sibling suffered severe physical injuries with fatal outcome in one child. Once a case of child abuse is diagnosed, further injury of the primarily affected child must be avoided under all circumstances. Another important consideration is the serious risk of abuse for siblings, both for those already living in the family and for those yet unborn. Even if parents have already lost custody for the primarily abused child, preventive measures must be taken for the protection of those children remaining with their parents.