Risk factors and services for child maltreatment among infants and young children

Child maltreatment (CM) causes injury in large numbers of U.S. children. This study uses a large, multi-state dataset of child protective services reports for infants and young children under five years of age to examine risk factors and the effects of services in confirmed maltreatment investigations and recurrence over five years. The Child Files of the National Child Abuse and Neglect Data System (NCANDS) for 2003–2007 were used to study confirmed CM reports to child protective services (CPS) using regression models and survival analysis among a cohort of children first reported during 2003. There were 1.2 million confirmed maltreatment reports to state child protective services agencies in 22 states during 2003–2007 in NCANDS, including 177,568 infants and young children under five years. 19.3% had a second confirmed CM report within 5 years. White race, inadequate housing and receiving public assistance were associated with significantly increased risk of CM recurrence. Infants and young children received more services and had less recurrence than did older children. Infants and young children have different risk factors and receive different services than do older children in the CPS system. We need additional research to further assess and better target services for the special needs of infants, young children and their families if we are to protect them and reduce future child maltreatment. ► NCANDS was used to study child maltreatment report for infants and young children. ► Almost 1 in 5 with a confirmed report had a second confirmed report within 5 years. ► Infants and young children have different risk profiles for recurrence. ► Many families receive no services, and different services have different effectiveness. ► We need to better target services for infants and young children over longer duration.