Munchausen by proxy (MBP) -- also known as Munchausen syndrome by proxy, Munchausen by proxy syndrome and factitious disorder by proxy -- is a kind of maltreatment in which caretakers induce, create, or maintain the illusion of illness in others. The motivation for this so-called medical dissimulation is to accrue the intangible benefits of the vicarious sick role, e.g., the attention that comes with appearing to be the heroic and indefatigable caregiver of a chronically-ill child. The article discusses ways people fabricate or produce signs or symptoms of illness; warning signs of MBP; MBP maltreatment as abuse or neglect; characterizations of the MBP perpetrator; how MBP is diagnosed and verified; and approaching a suspected or confirmed case of MBP. Attention to the warning signs, accumulation of relevant case information and history, mobilization of a multidisciplinary team, and use of expert consultation can all assist in appropriate diagnosis and management of this potentially lethal form of maltreatment. References