CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT IN MIDDLE EAST

Introduction: Child maltreatment (CM) is a universal problem with significant consequences for children, families, and communities. In the Arab world, child maltreatment is an issue that is rarely exposed or studied. Until the 1990s, cases of child abuse and neglect went unpublished by medical professionals in Saudi Arabia. Indeed, some physicians resist diagnosing child abuse or neglect because of inadequate training, the problem of establishing the diagnosis with certainty, the risk of stigmatizing the family, personal and legal risks, and the potential effect on their practice. Aim of work: In this review, we will discuss child abuse in the Middle East, the cultural and familial factors that predispose to abuse, and the effects it has on the development of children Methodology: We conducted this review using a comprehensive search of MEDLINE, PubMed, and EMBASE, January 1985, through February 2017. The following search terms were used: child abuse, neglect, child abuse in middle east, pediatrician attitude to abuse, effects of abuse in children Conclusions: Child abuse and neglect heavily influences growth and development of a child at physical and emotional aspect, and the affect lingers in their adulthood. Unfortunately, the culture in the Middle East poses many barriers to protecting children from such trauma. Pediatricians in this region must be more informed on recognizing sings of abuse, and more importantly, need to be informed about proper and safe ways of reporting to authority. On the other hand, parents should be educated regarding consequences of abuse upon children, and also be taught constructive ways of disciplining them. Key words: child abuse, neglect, Middle Eas