Munchausen syndrome by proxy is the most difficult form of child abuse. It carries substantial morbidity and mortality. The diagnosis relies on appropriate suspicion and careful investigation. The psychological illness/need of the perpetrator is the main clinical feature. Early recognition and appropriate intervention prevent further abuse and criminal actions.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
1. Meadow R. Munchausen syndrome by proxy: The hinterland of child abuse. The Lancet. 1977;2:343-345.
2.
2. Morris M. Munchausen syndrome by proxy and factitious illness. Curr Opin Psychiatry. 1991;4:225-230.
3.
3. Sigal M, Gelkopf M, Meadow RS. Munchausen by proxy syndrome: the triad of abuse, self-abuse, and deception. Compr Psychiatry. 1989;30:527-533.
4.
4. McGuire TL, Feldman KW. Psychologic morbidity of children subjected to Munchausen syndrome by proxy. Pediatrics. 1989;83:289-292.
5.
5. Waller DA. Obstacles to the treatment of Munchausen syndrome by proxy. JAm Acad Child Psychiatry. 1983;22:80-85.
6.
6. McClure RJ, Davis PM, Meadow SR, Sibert JR. Epidemiology of Munchausen syndrome by proxy, nonaccidental poisoning and nonaccidental suffocation. ArchDis Child. 1996;75:57-61.
7.
7. Alexander R, Smith W, Stevenson R. Serial Munchausen syndrome by proxy. Pediatrics. 1990;86:581-585.
8.
8. Morley CJ. Practical concerns about the diagnosis of Munchausen syndrome by proxy. Arch Dis Child. 1995;72:528-530.
9.
9. Asher R. Munchausen syndrome. Lancet. 1951;1:339-341.
10.
10. Nicol AR, Eccles M. Psychotherapy for Munchausen syndrome by proxy. Arch Dis Child. 1985;60:344-348.
11.
11. Souid AK, Korins K, Keith D, et al. Unexplained menorrhagia and hematuria: a case report of Munchausen syndrome by proxy. Pediatr Hematol Oncol. 1993;10:245-248.
12.
12. Rosen CL, FrostlJD, Bricker T, et al. Two siblings with recurrent cardiorespiratory arrest: Munchausen syndrome by proxy or child abuse?Pediatrics. 1983;71:715-720.
13.
13. Meadow R. Nonaccidental salt poisoning. Arch Dis Child. 1993;68:448-452.
14.
14. Berger D. Child abuse simulating apparent “near miss” sudden infant death syndrome. J Pediatr. 1979;95: 554-556.
15.
15. Boros SJ, Ophoven JP, Andersen R, Brubaker LC. Munchausen syndrome by proxy: a profile for medical child abuse. Aust Fam Physician. 1995;24: 768-769.
16.
16. Rosenberg DA. Web of deceit: a literature review of Munchausen syndrome by proxy. Child Abuse Negl. 1987;11: 547-563.
17.
17. Meadow R. Management of Munchausen syndrome by proxy. Arch Dis Child. 1985;60:385-393.
18.
18. Sneed RC, Bell RF. The dauphin of Munchausen: factitious passage of renal stones in a child. Pediatrics. 1976;58:127-130.
19.
19. JanofskyJS. Munchausen syndrome in a mother and daughter: an unusual presentation of folie a deux. J Nerv Ment Dis. 1986;174:368-370.
20.
20. Meadow R. False allegations of abuse and Munchausen syndrome by proxy. Arch Dis Child. 1993;68:444-447.
21.
21. Bools C, Neale B, Meadow R. Munchausen syndrome by proxy: a study of psychopathology. Child Abuse Negl. 1994;18:773-788.
22.
22. Guandolo VL. Munchausen syndrome by proxy: an outpatient challenge. Pediatrics. 1985;75:526-530.
23.
23. MoneyJ, Annecillo C, Hutchison JW. Forensic and family psychiatry in abuse dwarfism: Munchausen's syndrome by proxy, atonement, and addiction to abuse. J Sex Marital Ther. 1985;1 1:30-40.
24.
24. Mehl AL, Coble L, Johnson S. Munchausen syndrome by proxy: a family affair. Child Abuse Negl. 1990;14:577-585.
25.
25. Fisher GC, Mitchell I. Is Munchausen syndrome by proxy really a syndrome?Arch Dis Child. 1995;72:530-534.
26.
26. Fisher GC, Mitchell I. Munchausen syndrome by proxy (factitious illness by proxy). Curr Opin Psychiatry. 1992;5: 224-227.
27.
27. Epstein MA, Markowitz RL, Gallo DM, et al. Munchausen syndrome by proxy: considerations in diagnosis and confirmation by video surveillance. Pediatrics. 1987;80:220-224.
28.
28. Kurlansky L, LukoffJY, Zinkham WH, et al. Munchausen syndrome by proxy: definition of factitious bleeding in an infant by 51Cr labelling of erythrocytes. Pediatrics. 1979;63:228-231.
29.
29. Hochhauser KG, Richardson RA. Munchausen syndrome by proxy: an exploratory study of pediatric nurses' knowledge and involvement. J Pediatr Nurs. 1994;9:313-320.
30.
30. Jani S, White M, Rosenberg LA, Maisami M. Munchausen syndrome by proxy. IntJPsychiatry Med. 1992; 22:343-349.
32. Jones JG, Butler HL, Hamilton B, et al. Munchausen syndrome by proxy. Child Abuse Negl. 1986;10:33-40.
33.
33. Kaufman KL, Coury D, Pickrel E, McCleery J. Munchausen syndrome by proxy: a survey of professionals' knowledge. Child Abuse Negl. 1989;13: 141-147.
34.
34. GoebelJ, Gremse DA, Artman M. Cardiomyopathy from ipecac administration in Munchausen syndrome by proxy. Pediatrics. 1993;92:601-603.
35.
35. Mitchell I, Brummitt J, DeForest J, Fisher G. Apnea and factitious illness (Munchausen syndrome) by proxy. Pediatrics. 1993;92:810-814.
36.
36. Johnson JE, Carpenter BL, Benton J, et al. Hemorrhagic colitis and psudomelanosis coli in ipecac ingestion by proxy. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 1991;12:501-506.
37.
37. Stevenson RD, Alexander R. Munchausen syndrome by proxy presenting as a developmental disability.JDev BehavPediatr. 1990;11:262-264.
38.
38. Mills RW, Burke S. Gastrointestinal bleeding in a 15-month-old male. A presentation of Munchausen syndrome by proxy. Clin Pediatr. 1990; 29:474-477.
39.
39. Libow J, Schreir HA. Three forms of factitious illness in children: when is it Munchausen syndrome by proxy?Am JOrthopsychiatry. 1986;56:602-611.
40.
40. Sanders MJ. Narrative family treatment of Munchausen by proxy: a successful case. Families Systems Health. 1996;14:315-329.
42. MalatackJj, Wiener ES, GartnerJC, et al. Munchausen syndrome by proxy: a new complication of central venous catheterization. Pediatrics. 1985;75: 523-525.
43.
43. Godding V, Kruth M. Compliance with treatment in asthma and Munchausen syndrome by proxy. Arch Dis Child. 1991;66:956-960.
44.
44. SutphenJL, Saulsbury FT. Intentional ipecac poisoning: Munchausen syndrome by proxy. Pediatrics. 1988;82: 453-455.
45.
45. Waring WW. The persistent parent. AmJDis Child. 1992;146:753-756.
46.
46. Makar AF, Squier PJ. Munchausen syndrome by proxy: father as a perpetrator. Pediatrics. 1990;85:370-373.
48. Nichols GR, Davis GJ, Corey TS. In the shadow of the Baron: sudden death due to Munchausen syndrome by proxy. Am J Emerg Med. 1990;8:216-219.
49.
49. Senocak ME, Turken A, Buyukpamukcu N. Urinary obstruction caused by factitious urethral stones: an amazing manifestation of Munchausen syndrome by proxy. J Pediatr Surg. 1995;30:1732-1734.
50.
50. Conway SP, Pond MN. Munchausen syndrome by proxy abuse: a foundation for adult Munchausen syndrome. Aust N ZJPsychiatry. 1995;29: 504-507.
51.
51. Baron HI, Beck DC, VargasJH, Ament ME. Overinterpretation of gastroduodenal motility studies: two cases involving Munchausen syndrome by proxy. JPediatr. 1995;126:397-400.
52.
52. Porter GE, Heitsch GM, Miller MD. Munchausen syndrome by proxy: unusual manifestations and disturbing sequelae. Child Abuse Negl. 1994;18: 789-794.
53.
53. Kovacs CS, Toth EL. Factitious diabetes mellitus and spontaneous hypoglycemia. Consequences of unrecognized Munchausen syndrome by proxy. Diabetes Care. 1993;16:1294-1297.
54.
54. BabcockJ, Hartman K, Pedersen A, et al. Rodenticide-induced coagulopathy in a young child. A case of Munchausen syndrome by proxy. Am J Pediatr Hematol OncoL1993;15:126-130.
55.
55. Kahn G, Goldman E. Munchausen syndrome by proxy: mother fabricates infant's hearing impairment. J Speech Hear Res. 1991;34:957-959.