A Case with Unexplained Bleeding from Multiple Sites: Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy

TÜFEKÇİ Ö., Gozmen S., YILMAZ Ş., Karapinar T. H., ÇETİN B. Ş., DURSUN O. B., ...More

PEDIATRIC HEMATOLOGY AND ONCOLOGY, vol.28, no.5, pp.439-443, 2011 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 28 Issue: 5
  • Publication Date: 2011
  • Doi Number: 10.3109/08880018.2011.565493
  • Journal Name: PEDIATRIC HEMATOLOGY AND ONCOLOGY
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
  • Page Numbers: pp.439-443
  • Keywords: bloody nipple discharge, bloody tear, multiple bleeding sites, Munchausen syndrome by proxy, PEDIATRIC CONDITION FALSIFICATION, FACTITIOUS DISORDER, BY-PROXY, HEMATURIA, DIAGNOSIS, DECEIT
  • Dokuz Eylül University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Munchausen syndrome by proxy (MBP) is an extreme form of child abuse where children were unnecessarily treated or investigated for medical conditions that were falsified by their caregivers. Here the authors report a 16-year-old female with the complaints of bleeding from multiple and unusual sites, including hemoptysis, hematuria, bloody tears, and bloody nipple discharge, all of which are only witnessed by her mother. Extensive investigation revealed no organic etiologies for bleeding. The diagnosis of MBP was put by a multidisciplinary team. The diagnosis of MBP must be kept in mind in conditions where there is no underlying organic pathology in a bleeding patient.