Keywords

caregiver-fabricated illness in a child, factitious disorder by proxy, medical child abuse, Munchausen syndrome by proxy, pediatric disease falsification

 

Authors

  1. Koetting, Cathy DNP, APRN, CPNP, NP-C

Abstract

Abstract: In October 2004, a case of caregiver-fabricated illness in a child was identified in a children's hospital in the Midwest. This case report begins with a discussion and explanation of the various nomenclatures that have been used by the healthcare community such as Munchausen syndrome by proxy, factitious disorder by proxy, medical child abuse, and caregiver-fabricated illness in a child. A discussion of case facts is then presented, which includes key concepts that nurses should know regarding a diagnosis of caregiver-fabricated illness in a child and the interventions that should be taken.