Update: Primary-Care Risk Assessment and Behavioral Interventions Can Reduce Child Abuse and Neglect

Standardized risk assessment and behavioral interventions reduce abuse and neglect outcomes in young children.

In 2004, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force found insufficient evidence to recommend behavioral interventions to prevent child abuse and neglect. Researchers reviewed new evidence on this topic in a systematic review of 11 randomized controlled trials published between 2002 and 2012. One study evaluated a primary-care intervention and 10 trials evaluated early childhood home visitation programs. The studies were considered fair-quality because of methodological limitations and heterogeneity.

The primary-care study involved 729 families with a child younger than 5 years in resident continuity clinics in a low-income urban community (Pediatrics 2009; 123:858). Participants were randomized to the Safe Environment for Every Kid (SEEK) progr…

Author

Martin T. Stein, MD

Disclosures

Consultant / Advisory boardPearson Neuroscience Advisory Board

Speaker’s bureauAmerican Academy of Pediatrics

RoyaltiesElsevier, Inc.

Editorial boardsJournal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics

Martin T. Stein, MD

Disclosures

Consultant / Advisory boardPearson Neuroscience Advisory Board

Speaker’s bureauAmerican Academy of Pediatrics

RoyaltiesElsevier, Inc.

Editorial boardsJournal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics