PHYSICIANS SHOULD ALWAYS CONSIDER THE POSSIBILITY OF ABUSE IN CHILD INJURY CASES SINCE SEVERE INJURIES IN THE HOME ARE RARELY ACCIDENTAL. SIGNS OF ABUSE IN CHILDREN ARE EVIDENCED BY SKULL FRACTURES AND OTHER SKULL INJURIES, UNTREATED BONE FRACTURES DESIGNATING PREVIOUS INJURIES, BURNS AROUND THE FEET, PATTERNS OF INJURY THAT DO NOT FIT A REASONABLE EXPLANATION, AND MULTIPLE CONTUSIONS INVOLVING NUMEROUS PARTS OF THE BODY. CHILD HOMICIDE INVOLVES A SINGLE INCIDENT RESULTING IN THE DEATH OF THE CHILD AND IS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO PROSECUTE. EVIDENCE OF CHILD NEGLECT CAN BE SEEN IN MUSCLE WASTING AND EMACIATION. IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT ALL PERSONS BE MANDATED TO REPORT CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT AND THAT ANY INJURY TO A CHILD BE RESOLVED BY THE CONCERNED PHYSICIAN. (DAG)