Munchausen by Proxy Syndrome: A Case Series Study from Turkey

• Published in: Journal of family violence 2015-07, Vol.30 (5), p.661-671
• Main Authors: Ozdemir, Dilsad Foto, Yalçın, Sıdıka Songül, Akgül, Sinem, Evinc, Ş. Gülin, Karhan, Asuman, Karadag, Ferda, Odabaşı, Aysun Balseven, Teksam, Özlem, Yıldız, İrem, Kanbur, Nuray, Ozmert, Elif, Derman, Orhan, Tümer, Ali Rıza, Atik, Helin, İnce, Tolga, Yurdakök, Kadriye, Gokler, Bahar, Kale, Gulsev
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Caregivers; Caring; Case studies; Child abuse; Child abuse & neglect; Clinical Psychology; Criminology and Criminal Justice; Diagnosis; Doctors; Health aspects; Law and Psychology; Medical research; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Morbidity; Mortality; Munchausen syndrome by proxy; Original Article; Proxy; Psychotherapy and Counseling; Quality of Life Research; Turkey; Victims
• ISSN: 0885-7482; 1573-2851
• DOI: 10.1007/s10896-015-9700-3

Munchausen syndrome by proxy (MSBP) is a rare form of child abuse in which a caregiver deliberately exaggerates, fabricates, and/or induces health problems in those in their care. The condition is extremely difficult to characterize and diagnose, as it manifests in many forms, often confusing the medical team. Insufficient knowledge regarding the syndrome and rare consideration of the differential diagnosis results in failure to recognize the problem. Literature suggests that an increase in physician awareness of the disorder can prevent or reduce its morbidity and mortality. For this reason, we believe that case series can help increase current knowledge on epidemiology, aetiology, diagnostic criteria, advised management of MSBP, and the psychological portrait of the perpetrator. Additionally, no data from Turkey has previously been presented on this issue. This study aimed to report characteristics of MSPB victims and alleged perpetrator, which were diagnosed and managed by a multidisciplinary team.