Re: Proposed system to detect child abuse could deter parents from seeking treatment, pressure group says
“The proposed linkage of data on abused children is based on a belief that some abusive parents manipulate health systems to make it harder for services to recognize patterns of injury. If this is true - and it seems plausible - then those same parents will be motivated to manipulate the new system for similar reasons.”[1]
The first point to establish is - has the child been subject to physical abuse?
The believers of the so-called “triad” –subdural haemorrhage, retinal haemorrhage and encephalopathy - proclaim there is no better proof of physical abuse.
However there is good evidence that hypoinsulinism, an autoimmune response to antigenic stimulation which is demonstrated by hyperglyaemia, is a feature of “tissue scurvy”[2-6].
Tissue Scurvy would explain all the bruises. haemorrhages and fractures seen in these allegedly “abused children” since it affects the functions of the liver, inhibits carboxylation of some coagulation factors and osteocalcin and thus causes the “triad”.
Tissue Scurvy will be a new concept to most of your readers but it debunks the myth of the Shaken Baby Syndrome and should prevent false accusations of child abuse.
Rapid Response:
Re: Proposed system to detect child abuse could deter parents from seeking treatment, pressure group says
“The proposed linkage of data on abused children is based on a belief that some abusive parents manipulate health systems to make it harder for services to recognize patterns of injury. If this is true - and it seems plausible - then those same parents will be motivated to manipulate the new system for similar reasons.”[1]
The first point to establish is - has the child been subject to physical abuse?
The believers of the so-called “triad” –subdural haemorrhage, retinal haemorrhage and encephalopathy - proclaim there is no better proof of physical abuse.
However there is good evidence that hypoinsulinism, an autoimmune response to antigenic stimulation which is demonstrated by hyperglyaemia, is a feature of “tissue scurvy”[2-6].
Tissue Scurvy would explain all the bruises. haemorrhages and fractures seen in these allegedly “abused children” since it affects the functions of the liver, inhibits carboxylation of some coagulation factors and osteocalcin and thus causes the “triad”.
Tissue Scurvy will be a new concept to most of your readers but it debunks the myth of the Shaken Baby Syndrome and should prevent false accusations of child abuse.
A fuller report is soon to be published.
Michael Innis.FRCPA; FRCPath
References:
1. Cris Jones- Nigel Hawkes. 345:doi:10.1136/bmj.e8705
2.Clemetson CAB. Vaccinations, Inoculations and Ascorbic Acid. Jour Ortho Mol Med 1999;14:137 –142
3. Kalokerinos A Every Second Child Thomas Nelson (Australia) Limited 1974
4. Cunningham JJ. The Glucose/Insulin System and Vitamin C:Implications in Insulin-dependent Diabetes Mellitus. J Am Coll Nutr; 1998:vol 17 p105-108
5.Cunningham JJ, Ellis SL, McVeigh KL, Levine RE, ,Jorge Calies Escandon Reduced mononuclear leucocyte ascorbic acid content in adults with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus consuming adequate dietary vitamin C Metabolism 1981;vol 40;148-149.
6.Innis MD. Vitamin K Deficiency Disease. Jour of Orthomol Med 2008;vol 23; 15-20
Competing interests: I have given Expert Testimony for the Defence in the USA, UK and Australia and I have been paid for my services