Since medical professionals have regular and repeated contact with children, they are instrumental in the primary identification of child sexual abuse. Screening for abuse should be a regular feature of well-child visits. Children who have been sexually abused sometimes have physical complaints and findings that can help make the diagnosis of abuse. After abuse has been disclosed, examination of the child is important in documenting evidence and reassuring the child. During the medical examination of sexually abused children, physicians can identify sexually transmitted diseases. In the event an abused adolescent becomes pregnant from the sexual contact, timely diagnosis increases the options available to the pregnant teen. It is important for physicians to recognize the psychological, behavioral, and psychosomatic problems that result from abuse. The accurate and complete documentation of medical aspects of child sexual abuse cases is required to preserve verbal and physical evidence of abuse. The existence of multidisciplinary teams for addressing child abuse offer physicians and nurses important opportunities to coordinate children's care with other agencies and to participate in community efforts to ensure children's safety. 2 tables and 96 references