Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40001260›Full record

ArticleItalian journal of pediatrics2025

Knowledge and management of Münchausen's Syndrome by proxy: a survey conducted through the compilation of a questionnaire by pediatricians belonging to the Italian Society of Pediatrics.

Rosaria Nardello, Giada Cordova, Corinne La Spina, Ettore Piro, Gregorio Serra, Giovanni Corsello, Antonina Argo

Abstract read
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Article in Italian journal of pediatrics, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
3citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

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Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

3 citing papers in PubMed.

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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Rosaria NardelloDepartment of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialities "G. D'Alessandro", University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy. rosaria.nardello@unipa.it.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-1041-6910
Giada CordovaDepartment of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialities "G. D'Alessandro", University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy.
Corinne La SpinaDepartment of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialities "G. D'Alessandro", University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy.
Ettore PiroDepartment of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialities "G. D'Alessandro", University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy.
Gregorio SerraDepartment of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialities "G. D'Alessandro", University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy.
Giovanni CorselloDepartment of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialities "G. D'Alessandro", University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy.
Antonina ArgoDepartment of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialities "G. D'Alessandro", University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundMunchausen syndrome by proxy represent forms of abuse with long-term psychiatric outcomes. Since the prevalence of Munchausen Syndrome by proxy is uncertain and underestimated, this study aimed to investigate and analyze the phenomenon through the compilation of an anonymous questionnaire that explores the knowledge of the phenomenon and above all its management.

methodsthe study was conducted by sending an anonymous questionnaire to pediatricians who are part of the Italian Society of Pediatrics. The questionnaire consists of 18 multiple choice questions and was completed by 511 professionals.

resultsThe main results highlighted that the majority of doctors knows Münchausen Syndrome by proxy. However, when there is a strong suspicion of the syndrome, they mostly seek discussion with the parent or with another specialist instead of referring to the competent authorities.

conclusionsstarting from the consideration that timely diagnosis is fundamental for the protection of the child, we emphasize the urgency of enhancing the recognition and management of Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy. Early diagnosis, appropriate reporting, and collaboration with child protection authorities are essential in safeguarding the well-being of vulnerable individuals.

Indexed as

Health Knowledge, Attitudes, PracticeMunchausen Syndrome by ProxyPediatriciansAdultChildFemaleHumansItalyMalePediatricsSocieties, MedicalSurveys and QuestionnairesChild abuseMalteatred childrenMünchausen Syndrome by proxy

Identifiers

PMID40001260
PMCPMC11863681

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.