Below is a news release on a clinical report appearing in the May issue of Pediatrics, the peer-reviewed, scientific journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). To receive the full text of this report, please contact the AAP Department of Communications.

For Release: May 7 , 2007, 12:01 am (ET)

CHICAGO - A new American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) clinical report outlines the rare, yet insidious type of child abuse known as Munchausen syndrome by proxy, in which parents and caregivers either inflict or fabricate pediatric illness or injury, resulting in unnecessary tests, medication, and even death. The report, "Beyond Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy: Identification and Treatment of Child Abuse in a Medical Setting" urges pediatricians to ask three questions when faced with unexplainable symptoms and/or treatment failures: Are the history, signs and symptoms of disease credible? Is the child receiving unnecessary and harmful or potentially harmful medical care? If so, who is instigating the evaluations and treatment? In suspected cases of Munchausen syndrome by proxy, pediatricians should protect and prevent further harm to the child, and solicit assistance from child abuse experts.

The American Academy of Pediatrics is an organization of 60,000 primary care pediatricians, pediatric medical subspecialists and pediatric surgical specialists dedicated to the health, safety and well being of infants, children, adolescents and young adults.