Munchausen syndrome by proxy

A form of child abuse in contemporary society

Abstract

Munchausen syndrome by proxy (MSBP) is a rare form of physical abuse in which perpetrators fabricate or induce illnesses in their chargeable persons. These perpetrators then bask in the attention afforded them by others, such as doctors, medical staffs, or relations. They can play good parent's role throughout the predicament in which they have severely ill child. However, the deceiving of doctors results in the children being subjected to unnecessary and injurious medical tests and/or treatments. An overdose case was reported, in which a child was given several medicines because her mother reported multiple signs and symptoms in each hospital. In fact, not a few children are dead of MSBP failure. The characteristics of MSBP suggest that it is a phenomenon linked to broader social issues such as isolation and "virtual reality", not just an aberration. This paper brings in discussions of lessons to be learned about MSBP crime, according situations, medical institution, investigating authority, and criminal court.