The disabled child

Abstract

Infants and children may suffer from a wide variety of inherited, congenital, and acquired conditions that can result in significant physical and mental disabilities. Although there is a certain degree of overlap in the issues that are encountered with developmentally normal children, the recurrent problems that are encountered in this group of special children warrants separate consideration. Both the underlying disorder and the associated manifestations may lead to complications that require careful forensic assessment. Questions may also arise concerning the quality of care or the adequacy of medical diagnosis and treatment. In this chapter, an approach to children either with a history of developmental abnormalities or with dysmorphic features first identified at autopsy that may be linked to mental and physical delay will be outlined. In addition, some of the particular features of specific conditions will be reviewed.