Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-gb8f7 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-26T15:10:17.957Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Munchausen syndrome by proxy: otolaryngologists beware!

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 June 2007

A. P. Bath
Affiliation:
(Nottingham)
G. E. Murty
Affiliation:
(Nottingham)
K. P. Gibbin*
Affiliation:
(Nottingham)
*
Mr. K. P. Gibbin, Department of Otolaryngology, University Hospital, Nottingham

Abstract

Munchausen syndrome by proxy (MSBP) is a rare condition in which a parent or guardian fabricates an illness in a child either by inducing physical signs or prevaricating. A case presenting as recurrent episodes of infant apnoea is reported. A high index of suspicion is required for the diagnosis and, therefore, the otolaryngologist must be familiar with the condition if the life of the infant is to be protected and potentially harmful unnecessary investigations are to beavoided.

Type
Clinical Records
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 1993

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Makar, A., Squier, P. (1990) Munchausen syndrome by proxy: father as a perpetrator. Pediatrics, 85: 370373.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
McGuire, T., Feldman, K. (1989) Psychologic morbidity of children subjected to Munchausen syndrome by proxy. Pediatrics, 83 (2): 289292.Google ScholarPubMed
Meadow, R. (1977) Munchausen syndrome by proxy. The hinterland of child abuse. Lancet, 11: 343345.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Meadow, R. (1985) Management of Munchausen syndrome by proxy. Archives of Disease in Childhood, 60: 385393.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Meadow, R. (1990) Suffocation, recurrent apnoea, and sudden infant death. The Journal of Pediatrics, 117 (3): 351357.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Nicol, A., Eccles, M. (1985) Psychotherapy for Munchausen syndrome by proxy. Archives of Disease in Childhood, 60: 344348.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Rosen, C., Frost, J., Glaze, D., (1986) Child abuse and recurrrent infant apnea. The Journal of Pediatrics, 109 (6): 10651067.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Samuels, M., McClaughlin, W., Jacobsen, R., Poets, C., Southall, D.,(1992) Fourteen cases of imposed upper airway obstruction. Archives of Disease in Childhood, 67: 162170.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Shnaps, Y., Frand, M., Rotem, Y., Tirosh, M., (1981) The chemically abused child. Pediatrics, 68 (1): 119121.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Southall, D., Stebbens, V., Rees, S., Lang, M., Warner, J., Shinebourne, E., (1987) Apnoeic episodes induced by smothering: two cases identified by covert video surveillance. British Medical Journal, 294: 16371641.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Williams, C., Bevan, V., (1988) The secret observation of children in hospital. Lancet, i: 780781.CrossRefGoogle Scholar