Munchausen syndrome by proxy

Definition:

A form of child abuse in which a parent induces real or apparent symptoms of a disease in a child.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

This syndrome almost always involves the mother. Symptoms of illness may be mimicked by adding blood to the child's urine or stool, withholding food, falsifying fevers, surreptitiously giving emetics or cathartics to simulate vomiting or diarrhea, or other maneuvers to make the child appear ill. These children are often hospitalized with groupings of symptoms that don't quite fit classical disease findings.

The parent is very helpful in the hospital setting and is appreciated by the nursing staff for the care she gives her child. This behavior makes the child accessible so that the symptoms can be made to persist. Acute changes in physical exam, vital signs, and so on. are never witnessed by hospital staff, but almost always occur in presence of the mother.

Munchausen syndrome is not an intentional type of abuse. It occurs because of psychological problems in the adult, and is generally an attention-seeking behavior. However, the syndrome can be life threatening for the child involved because this unusual behavior can escalate.