Can Primary Care Interventions Prevent Child Maltreatment?

A review of 22 quality trials found insufficient evidence to recommend primary care interventions.

In 2016, child maltreatment from abuse or neglect affected more than 600,000 children in the U.S. and resulted in more than 1700 deaths.

To determine the efficacy of primary care interventions to prevent child maltreatment, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) reviewed 22 randomized controlled trials that evaluated interventions lasting 3 months to 3 years (all but one with home visitations) in children without evidence of maltreatment.

Results were as follows:

No differences in referrals to Child Protective Services or removal of children from their home were found between those who received or did not receive a primary care intervention.
No differences in reduction of injuries, failure to thrive, completion of immunization, or sch…

Reviewing Author

F. Bruder Stapleton, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardCareer Physician

Editorial BoardsUpToDate

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesAmerican Society of Pediatric Nephrology Foundation (Chair)