Child abuse is a widespread global health crisis with longterm implications for children’s physical, psychological, and emotional well-being. Pediatric emergency departments (PEDs) are often the first point of contact for children experiencing abuse, presenting unique diagnostic challenges due to the diverse manifestations of maltreatment. In contrast to physical abuse that often leaves visible markers, nonphysical abuse (e.g., emotional neglect or psychological harm) frequently go undetected, exacerbating underreporting and delayed interventions. This article examines the prevalence, diagnostic challenges, and multidisciplinary strategies for addressing child maltreatment in PEDs. Cultural and systemic barriers, coupled with insufficient training and resource constraints, hinder the recognition of subtle signs of nonphysical abuse. Advances in diagnostic imaging, behavioral assessment tools, and laboratory investigations are discussed as critical components of comprehensive evaluations. Multidisciplinary teams play a pivotal role in addressing the complexity of abuse cases, combining medical, psychological, and legal expertise to provide holistic care while minimizing additional trauma. The integration of artificial intelligence into diagnostic workflows is explored as a transformative innovation, offering potential for early detection of abuse patterns and enhanced decision-making. However, the implementation of artificial intelligence requires careful consideration to ensure that it complements human expertise and aligns with ethical standards. There is a need for standardized protocols, targeted training programs, and supportive systems to empower healthcare professionals in recognizing and reporting all forms of child maltreatment. We propose more research to develop tools capable of detecting nonphysical abuse in PEDs. By combining technological advancements, multidisciplinary collaboration, and educational initiatives, PEDs can improve outcomes for vulnerable children and address the widespread issue of child maltreatment more effectively.

Child abuse is a widespread global health crisis with longterm implications for children’s physical, psychological, and emotional well-being. Pediatric emergency departments (PEDs) are often the first point of contact for children experiencing abuse, presenting unique diagnostic challenges due to the diverse manifestations of maltreatment. In contrast to physical abuse that often leaves visible markers, nonphysical abuse (e.g., emotional neglect or psychological harm) frequently go undetected, exacerbating underreporting and delayed interventions. This article examines the prevalence, diagnostic challenges, and multidisciplinary strategies for addressing child maltreatment in PEDs. Cultural and systemic barriers, coupled with insufficient training and resource constraints, hinder the recognition of subtle signs of nonphysical abuse. Advances in diagnostic imaging, behavioral assessment tools, and laboratory investigations are discussed as critical components of comprehensive evaluations. Multidisciplinary teams play a pivotal role in addressing the complexity of abuse cases, combining medical, psychological, and legal expertise to provide holistic care while minimizing additional trauma. The integration of artificial intelligence into diagnostic workflows is explored as a transformative innovation, offering potential for early detection of abuse patterns and enhanced decision-making. However, the implementation of artificial intelligence requires careful consideration to ensure that it complements human expertise and aligns with ethical standards. There is a need for standardized protocols, targeted training programs, and supportive systems to empower healthcare professionals in recognizing and reporting all forms of child maltreatment. We propose more research to develop tools capable of detecting nonphysical abuse in PEDs. By combining technological advancements, multidisciplinary collaboration, and educational initiatives, PEDs can improve outcomes for vulnerable children and address the widespread issue of child maltreatment more effectively.

Child abuse is a widespread global health crisis with longterm implications for children’s physical, psychological, and emotional well-being. Pediatric emergency departments (PEDs) are often the first point of contact for children experiencing abuse, presenting unique diagnostic challenges due to the diverse manifestations of maltreatment. In contrast to physical abuse that often leaves visible markers, nonphysical abuse (e.g., emotional neglect or psychological harm) frequently go undetected, exacerbating underreporting and delayed interventions. This article examines the prevalence, diagnostic challenges, and multidisciplinary strategies for addressing child maltreatment in PEDs. Cultural and systemic barriers, coupled with insufficient training and resource constraints, hinder the recognition of subtle signs of nonphysical abuse. Advances in diagnostic imaging, behavioral assessment tools, and laboratory investigations are discussed as critical components of comprehensive evaluations. Multidisciplinary teams play a pivotal role in addressing the complexity of abuse cases, combining medical, psychological, and legal expertise to provide holistic care while minimizing additional trauma. The integration of artificial intelligence into diagnostic workflows is explored as a transformative innovation, offering potential for early detection of abuse patterns and enhanced decision-making. However, the implementation of artificial intelligence requires careful consideration to ensure that it complements human expertise and aligns with ethical standards. There is a need for standardized protocols, targeted training programs, and supportive systems to empower healthcare professionals in recognizing and reporting all forms of child maltreatment. We propose more research to develop tools capable of detecting nonphysical abuse in PEDs. By combining technological advancements, multidisciplinary collaboration, and educational initiatives, PEDs can improve outcomes for vulnerable children and address the widespread issue of child maltreatment more effectively.

Child abuse is a widespread global health crisis with longterm implications for children’s physical, psychological, and emotional well-being. Pediatric emergency departments (PEDs) are often the first point of contact for children experiencing abuse, presenting unique diagnostic challenges due to the diverse manifestations of maltreatment. In contrast to physical abuse that often leaves visible markers, nonphysical abuse (e.g., emotional neglect or psychological harm) frequently go undetected, exacerbating underreporting and delayed interventions. This article examines the prevalence, diagnostic challenges, and multidisciplinary strategies for addressing child maltreatment in PEDs. Cultural and systemic barriers, coupled with insufficient training and resource constraints, hinder the recognition of subtle signs of nonphysical abuse. Advances in diagnostic imaging, behavioral assessment tools, and laboratory investigations are discussed as critical components of comprehensive evaluations. Multidisciplinary teams play a pivotal role in addressing the complexity of abuse cases, combining medical, psychological, and legal expertise to provide holistic care while minimizing additional trauma. The integration of artificial intelligence into diagnostic workflows is explored as a transformative innovation, offering potential for early detection of abuse patterns and enhanced decision-making. However, the implementation of artificial intelligence requires careful consideration to ensure that it complements human expertise and aligns with ethical standards. There is a need for standardized protocols, targeted training programs, and supportive systems to empower healthcare professionals in recognizing and reporting all forms of child maltreatment. We propose more research to develop tools capable of detecting nonphysical abuse in PEDs. By combining technological advancements, multidisciplinary collaboration, and educational initiatives, PEDs can improve outcomes for vulnerable children and address the widespread issue of child maltreatment more effectively.

Child abuse is a widespread global health crisis with longterm implications for children’s physical, psychological, and emotional well-being. Pediatric emergency departments (PEDs) are often the first point of contact for children experiencing abuse, presenting unique diagnostic challenges due to the diverse manifestations of maltreatment. In contrast to physical abuse that often leaves visible markers, nonphysical abuse (e.g., emotional neglect or psychological harm) frequently go undetected, exacerbating underreporting and delayed interventions. This article examines the prevalence, diagnostic challenges, and multidisciplinary strategies for addressing child maltreatment in PEDs. Cultural and systemic barriers, coupled with insufficient training and resource constraints, hinder the recognition of subtle signs of nonphysical abuse. Advances in diagnostic imaging, behavioral assessment tools, and laboratory investigations are discussed as critical components of comprehensive evaluations. Multidisciplinary teams play a pivotal role in addressing the complexity of abuse cases, combining medical, psychological, and legal expertise to provide holistic care while minimizing additional trauma. The integration of artificial intelligence into diagnostic workflows is explored as a transformative innovation, offering potential for early detection of abuse patterns and enhanced decision-making. However, the implementation of artificial intelligence requires careful consideration to ensure that it complements human expertise and aligns with ethical standards. There is a need for standardized protocols, targeted training programs, and supportive systems to empower healthcare professionals in recognizing and reporting all forms of child maltreatment. We propose more research to develop tools capable of detecting nonphysical abuse in PEDs. By combining technological advancements, multidisciplinary collaboration, and educational initiatives, PEDs can improve outcomes for vulnerable children and address the widespread issue of child maltreatment more effectively.

Fatty liver is now a major cause of liver disease in the Asia-Pacific region. Liver diseases in this region have distinctive characteristics. First, fatty liver is frequently observed in leanormal-weight individuals. However, there is no standard definition of this unique phenotype. Second, fatty liver is often observed in patients with concomitant viral hepatitis. The exclusion of viral hepatitis from non-alcoholic fatty liver disease limits its value and detracts from the investigation and holistic management of coexisting fatty liver in patients with viral hepatitis. Third, fatty liver-associated hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is generally categorized as non-B non-C HCC. Fourth, the population is aging rapidly, and it is imperative to develop a practicable, low-intensity exercise program for elderly patients. Fifth, most patients and nonspecialized healthcare professionals still lack an awareness of the significance of fatty liver both in terms of intrahepatic and extrahepatic disease and cancer. Recently, an international expert panel proposed a new definition of fatty liver: metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD). One feature of MAFLD is that metabolic dysfunction is a prerequisite for diagnosis. Pertinent to regional issues, MAFLD also provides its diagnostic criteria in leanormal-weight individuals. Furthermore, MAFLD is independent of any concomitant liver disease, including viral hepatitis. Therefore, MAFLD may be a more suitable definition for fatty liver in the Asia-Pacific region. In this review, we introduce the regional characteristics of fatty liver and discuss the advantages of MAFLD for improving clinical practice for liver disease in the region.

PURPOSE: Proper nutrition is essential for brain development during infancy, contributing to the continued development of cognitive, motor, and socio-emotional skills throughout life. Considering the insufficient published data in the Middle East and North Africa, experts drafted a questionnaire to assess the opinions and knowledge of physicians on the impact of nutrition on brain development and cognition in early life. METHODS: The questionnaire consisted of two parts: The first focused on the responders' demographic and professional characteristics and the second questioned the role of nutrition in brain development and cognition. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize respondents' characteristics and their responses to questions. RESULTS: A total of 1,500 questionnaires were distributed; 994 physicians responded. The majority of the surveyed physicians (64.4%) felt that nutrition impacts brain development in early childhood (0–4 years), with almost 90% of physicians agreeing/strongly agreeing that preventing iron, zinc, and iodine deficiency would improve global intelligence quotient. The majority of physicians (83%) agreed that head circumference was the most important measure of brain development. The majority of physicians (68.9%) responded that the period from the last trimester until 18 months postdelivery was crucial for brain growth and neurodevelopment, with 76.8% believing that infants breast-fed by vegan mothers have an increased risk of impaired brain development. CONCLUSION: The results of this study show that practicing physicians significantly agree that nutrition plays an important role in brain and cognitive development and function in early childhood, particularly during the last trimester until 18 months postdelivery.
Africa ; Africa, Northern ; Brain ; Cognition ; Female ; Head ; Humans ; Infant ; Intelligence ; Iodine ; Iron ; Middle East ; Mothers ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Trimester, Third ; Vegans ; Zinc