About the review
The systematic review evaluates the scientific literature on bites published up until June 2014.
It aims to answer the following clinical question:
- Is this an abusive bite?
The review attempts to answer this question by exploring the epidemiology of childhood bites in the literature and identifying the specific features which suggest that a skin lesion on a child is a bite.
The implications for practice and research, and other useful references are included in the review.
Key findings
- A human bite on a child should be suspected if there is any 2-5cm oval/circular injury, with a circumscribed annular border, with or without central ecchymosis.
- Any suspicious lesion must have photographs taken with a right-angled measuring device and these need to be taken in each plane if the injury is on a curved surface.
- Early referral of suspicious injuries to forensic dentists is mandatory to enable possible identification of a specific perpetrator.
Disclaimer: This is a summary of the systematic review findings up to the date of our most recent literature search. If you have a specific clinical case, we strongly recommend you read all of the relevant references as cited and look for additional material published outside our search dates
Original reviews and content © Cardiff University, funded by NSPCC
Published by RCPCH July 2017
While the format of each review has been revised to fit the style of the College and amalgamated into a comprehensive document, the content remains unchanged until reviewed and new evidence is identified and added to the evidence-base. Updated content will be indicated on individual review pages.