Medical Neglect by Parents and Child Health at Clinical Sites

Abstract

Objectives: Medical neglect indicates no provision of medicine or medical treatment necessary for child health. Medical neglect can put children at sig nificant risk. Little information is available on this subject. The objective of present study is to describe characteristics of medical child neglects done by parents during the hospitalization. Methods: We conducted a retrospective medical record review of hospitalized children whose parents had trouble with medical staff from 2017 to 2018 at the Department of Pediatrics, Gyeongsang National University Hospital. Four cases were selected as suspected medical neglects done by parents. The children were admitted under diagnosis of enteritis (Case 1), pneumonia and cerebral palsy (Case 2), toe necrosis (Case 3), and epilepsy (Case 4). Case 1 and Case 4 were admitted to the emergency and Case 1 and Case 2 were frequently readmitted with the private insurance coverage. Results: All the 4 Cases were “Treatment Refusal” where the parents did not comply with medical advice. Mothers of Case 1 and Case 2 were long and often disconnected neglecting their children. They treated nurses to be caregivers. Case 3 refused medical treatment for the cause of medicine. Case 4 objected test and treatment with suspected brain impairment. The Case 3 and Case 4 were “Discharge Against Medical Advice” and Case 4 is possible “Failure To Thrive.” Risk factors identified in this study are private insurance coverage, family economy, disability of the child, and educa tion and attitude of parent(s). Conclusions: Medical staffs must be aware of possible medical neglect of children admitted to emergency or frequently readmitted. They also must pay attention to parents neglecting children during the hospitalization so as to prevent medical child neglects at clinical sites.