Main Article Content
Review
Diagnosis and management of Munchausen's Syndrome by Proxy
Abstract
A systematic literature review was conducted to
identify and synthesise the relevant literature on
the epidemiology, presentation, assessment and management of Munchausen's
Syndrome by Proxy (MSP). This included collating information from published and
unpublished sources. The purpose of the review was to provide an overview of
the status of research into MSP. The results indicated that there are common
areas of research and theorising on MSP. These areas
were divided up into the following categories: definitions of MSP, diagnosis
and recognition of MSP and management of MSP. The results of the literature
review were summarised using the above-mentioned
categories. The most widely accepted definitions of MSP included the
International Classification of Diseases (10th edition) (ICD-10),
(1994), Rosenberg
(1987), The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (4th edition) (1994)
and Kelly and Loader (1997). The most common presentations of MSP identified
included seizures, diarhhea, apnea and fevers. The
most common forms of assault identified included suffocation, giving of drugs
and poisoning. Mother–perpetrator features, child–victim features and family
features were identified as categories used to help with the identification of
MSP. Appropriate management of MSP included careful consideration of child
protection factors with the emphasis on comprehensive assessment and
management.
Journal of Child and Adolescent Mental Health 2004, 16(1): 1–9
identify and synthesise the relevant literature on
the epidemiology, presentation, assessment and management of Munchausen's
Syndrome by Proxy (MSP). This included collating information from published and
unpublished sources. The purpose of the review was to provide an overview of
the status of research into MSP. The results indicated that there are common
areas of research and theorising on MSP. These areas
were divided up into the following categories: definitions of MSP, diagnosis
and recognition of MSP and management of MSP. The results of the literature
review were summarised using the above-mentioned
categories. The most widely accepted definitions of MSP included the
International Classification of Diseases (10th edition) (ICD-10),
(1994), Rosenberg
(1987), The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (4th edition) (1994)
and Kelly and Loader (1997). The most common presentations of MSP identified
included seizures, diarhhea, apnea and fevers. The
most common forms of assault identified included suffocation, giving of drugs
and poisoning. Mother–perpetrator features, child–victim features and family
features were identified as categories used to help with the identification of
MSP. Appropriate management of MSP included careful consideration of child
protection factors with the emphasis on comprehensive assessment and
management.
Journal of Child and Adolescent Mental Health 2004, 16(1): 1–9
