Child maltreatment and neglect includes a variety of intentional actions or lack of actions by a parent or caregiver that cause harm to a child. Child maltreatment also has been called child abuse.

Maltreatment can take many forms.

• Physical abuse is any intentional act that causes a physical injury to a child. Injuries, such as bruises, burns, fractures, cuts, punctures, or organ damage, can occur when a child is physically abused. Physical abuse may cause serious emotional problems that last long after the physical injury has healed. The abuse can start before a child is born if a mother uses illegal drugs, misuses prescription or nonprescription medications, or fails to seek health care during her pregnancy.
• Emotional (psychological) maltreatment is a repeated pattern of parent or caregiver behavior that conveys to a child that he or she is worthless, flawed, unloved, unwanted, endangered, or only of value to meet someone else's needs. Emotional maltreatment includes intentional verbal or behavioral actions or lack of actions that interfere with a child's healthy development. Withholding emotional support, isolation, or terrorizing a child are forms of emotional maltreatment.
• Sexual abuse is any act with a child that is intended to sexually gratify an adult. Sexual abusers can be young or old, male or female, and usually are family members (incest) or acquaintances known to the child. Sexual abuse by a stranger is rare.
• Munchausen syndrome by proxy is a disorder in which a person, usually the mother, causes symptoms, says symptoms are present in his or her child, or changes laboratory specimens to imitate disease. The action the parent or caregiver takes can lead to unnecessary medical tests, hospital admission, and medical treatment. The consequences to the child can be serious and may result in injury or death.

Child neglect is failure to take action when action is needed to ensure a child's health and well-being. Neglect can cause failure to thrive or developmental delays (learning problems). Neglect occurs when parents or caregivers fail to provide appropriate shelter, schooling, clothing, protection from hazards, or medical care. Neglect causes potential or actual harm or both.

There are several different types of child maltreatment and neglect; it is not unusual for a victim to experience more than one type of abuse. For example, a child may be physically abused and emotionally maltreated, or sexually abused and neglected. Children of all ages can be victims of any of these types of abuse. However, children under the age of 5 are more likely to be physically abused and to suffer more serious injuries than children over the age of 5.

It is important for every adult who comes in contact with children to listen to children and know the signs of maltreatment or neglect. If you suspect maltreatment or neglect, seek help. You can call your local child protection services, police, health department, or a health professional such as a doctor, nurse, or counselor.

Health professionals have a professional duty and legal obligation to evaluate the possibility of maltreatment or neglect, especially if there were no witnesses to an injury or the cause of a health, developmental, or emotional problem cannot be identified. Although legal definitions of maltreatment and neglect vary from state to state, health professionals and other professionals, such as teachers, in all 50 states are required by law to report suspected child maltreatment and neglect to the police or state child protection services.