The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #61868

Michael Durfee, MD, LA County Department of Health Services, LA County Department of Health Services, 600 S Commonwealth, Los Angeles, CA 90005, 213/6396444, durfee@ican-ncfr.org

Prenatal substance abuse may result in a child abuse report to protect an endangered newborn. State and local jurisdictions vary in how this is applied. Data is needed to monitor this system of services and sanctions. California law directs these reports to social service not criminal justice while South Carolina may use criminal sanctions. California has been active in addressing this issue: directed each county to develop a protocol. California has addressed services but has almost no measure or oversight of reporting these neonates as suspect victims of child abuse.

The LA County Department of Health Services, Child Abuse Prevention Program (CAPP) collected copies of child abuse reports reports from 1981-92, with 1668 neonatal reports in 1992. Separate study addressed neonatal reporting rates by race and type of chemicals abused. Legal considerations stopped data collection until legislation clarified the issue. Collection of neonatal reports began again with 385 reports in 2001.

CAPP outreach will increase the number of hospitals participating (now 26/80). A tracking system is being developed to provide the reporting hospital information on the case status and connect hospital staff with the CPS case manager. Data collection will be increased to include risk factors and services or sanctions applied. Data will be used to address hospital screening and reporting issues including the question of reporting alcohol. Countywide case data will be presented along with models for policy and program planning.

Learning Objectives:

• 1 Define the rules for reporting child abuse following prenatal substance abuse in your state or California
• 2 List three problems with systems that report noenates following prenatal substance abuse.
• 3 List three risk factors besides substance abuse that might be used in deciding when to report.

Keywords: Perinatal Health, Substance Abuse

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.