Abstract
Child abuse and neglect (CAN) is a global phenomenon that takes many forms, with child neglect being the most common. CAN comprises serious incidents with medicolegal implications for the caregivers. The recognition of CAN is still in its early stages in Middle Eastern cultures, including in Oman, where parental authority over children is traditionally sacrosanct. This case series presents nine serious incidents from a regional hospital in Oman from 2020–2021 that appear to fulfil the definition of child neglect. All cases were diagnosed by the Suspected Child Abuse and Neglect (SCAN) team. This article provides evidence that child neglect exists in Oman and has resulted in the death of some children while causing significant physical, psychological and social sequelae in others. It also addresses risk factors and provides recommendations for management. Furthermore, the experience of the SCAN team and limitations of the current Child Protection Services in Oman are highlighted.
Publication details
- DOI
- 10.18295/squmj.3.2022.026
- Journal
- Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal, 23(2), 245-250
- Publisher
- Sultan Qaboos University
- Open access
- Gold open access
- License
- CC BY-ND 4.0
Cite this article
APA 7
Al Balushi, S. S. (2025). Did Child Neglect Cause Severe Injuries in Nine Children?: Case series from a regional hospital in Oman. Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal, 23(2), 245-250. https://doi.org/10.18295/squmj.3.2022.026
MLA 9
Al Balushi, Shamsa S. "Did Child Neglect Cause Severe Injuries in Nine Children?: Case series from a regional hospital in Oman." Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal, vol. 23, no. 2, 2025, pp. 245-250. https://doi.org/10.18295/squmj.3.2022.026.
Chicago (author–date)
Al Balushi, Shamsa S. 2025. "Did Child Neglect Cause Severe Injuries in Nine Children?: Case series from a regional hospital in Oman." Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal 23 (2): 245-250. https://doi.org/10.18295/squmj.3.2022.026.
Harvard
Al Balushi, S. S. (2025) 'Did Child Neglect Cause Severe Injuries in Nine Children?: Case series from a regional hospital in Oman', Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal, 23(2), pp. 245-250. doi:10.18295/squmj.3.2022.026.
Vancouver
Al Balushi SS. Did Child Neglect Cause Severe Injuries in Nine Children?: Case series from a regional hospital in Oman. Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal. 2025;23(2):245-250. doi:10.18295/squmj.3.2022.026
IEEE
S. S. Al Balushi, "Did Child Neglect Cause Severe Injuries in Nine Children?: Case series from a regional hospital in Oman," Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal, vol. 23, no. 2, pp. 245-250, 2025, doi: 10.18295/squmj.3.2022.026.