Research
Research is a major activity of the Mayerson Center for Safe and Healthy Children at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center and is a key component to understanding and treating child abuse.
Utilizing the outstanding resources of Cincinnati Children's, including the areas of neuroimaging, developmental assessment, ophthalmology and pediatric clinical trials, the research team is focusing on the effects of abuse and how child abuse can be better recognized and treated.
Research interests and ongoing projects include:
- Evaluating the long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes of shaken baby syndrome
- Developing and utilizing an injury database for the assessment of child physical abuse
- Investigating the healing process of genital injuries in females
- Implementing telemedicine and internet-based communication systems for diagnosis, forensic consultation and peer review of child abuse examinations
- Applying magnetic imaging spectroscopy (MRS) methodology to neuroimaging of pediatric traumatic brian injuries
- Identifying and calibrating blood-borne markers of pediatric traumatic brain injury
- Improving the biomechanical assessment of injury mechanisms and forces required for long bone fractures
- Advancing assessments for detecting occult head trauma
- Developing a community-based treatment effectiveness research program to evaluate the effectiveness and acceptability of evidence-based psychological treatments for posttraumatic disorders in abused and traumatized children
For more information about the Mayerson Center for Safe and Healthy Children, call 513-636-SAFE. If you suspect a child within the Greater Cincinnati area is being abused, please contact the child's physician or call 513-241-KIDS. Physicians are required by state laws to report suspected physical abuse or neglect to the legally mandated agency in their community.
