The chemically abused child

Abstract

The case of an 18-month-old child poisoned by her mother with chlorpromazine is described. Fifteen other cases of child poisoning have been previously reported. In all of these cases the assailant was the mother (who in 11 cases was described as mentally disturbed); in 14 cases the presenting sign was a change in the level of the child's consciousness; and in ten cases the agent was a psychotropic drug. These poisonings were always well planned and manipulative, usually of long duration (1 1/2 to 48 months), and often continued during hospitalization, but lacked homicidal intent. Three children died. It is suggested that this subgroup of child abuse be more rigidly defined and possibly be named "the chemically abused child." A higher degree of suspicion and alertness to this problem would increase the number of cases identified and the number of children who receive professional care.