Characteristics of health of neglected schoolchildren

Abstract

Objective. The objective is to develop methods of a process of forensic medical examinations in neglected schoolchildren cases.

Methods: 70 forensic medical examinations of children and adolescents were studied, whom legal representatives were accused of neglecting needs of their foster children. Criminal cases and medical documents were analyzed.

Results: Neglected schoolchildren had low neuropsychic development, high level of anxiety, negative emotional state, were dissatisfied with family situation. The structure of their disease was characterized by impaired psychological development, advanced stage of pulmonary diseases, dental caries, anemia, potential risk of tuberculosis infection. 40 % of children had weigh deficit, 28.6 % were retarded, and 44.3 % had decreased muscle strength.

Conclusions: Children were divided into two risk groups depending on neglecting of their needs: children from multiple children single parenting families and children whose mothers avoided medical observation during pregnancy. The range of factors indicating needs neglecting were detected: malnutrition, disregard of hygiene care and sanitary regulations at home, lack of medical care, lack of appropriate living conditions and learning environment, disregard of safety and supervision, absence of day regimen. The comprehensive assessment of children health condition under forensic medical examinations with account of obtained data will allow an enforcer to make a well-founded decision when investigating crimes, which are punishable under Criminal Rule 156 of the Russian Federation.