Child Physical Abuse
Closed soft tissue injuries are, essentially, different kinds of bruises that form under the surface of the skin. Bruises are the earliest, most visible signs of abuse and include:
- Contusions – bruises caused when skin tissue is crushed
- Hematomas – lumps that develop when a pool of blood collects within damaged tissue
- Petechiae – Very small bruises caused when capillaries are broken
- Purpurae – Small bruises occurring in groups
- Ecchymosis – Any larger bruise
