Harm Caused By FII

FII is a form of child abuse.

It results in short term and/or long term harm to the child:

• This may be physical morbidity or mortality related to the direct induction of illness. e.g. suffocation or poisoning. This includes death and serious physical injury
• Fabrication results in harm to the child because of iatrogenic morbidity caused by unnecessary investigations, treatments and hospital admissions
• FII also places restrictions on normal childhood development such as:
  • Reduced school attendance
  • Limited/no involvement in sporting or social activities
  • Anxiety over health and adoption of the sick role
  • Placement in special schools, adoption of special educational requirements
• Long term emotional and psychological development may be impaired as a result of the abnormal relationship with the perpetrator [2]
• There can be overlap with other forms of abuse:
  • Once FII is identified there is a significant risk of further abuse [1,2]
  • A significant percentage of those who did not suffer physical harm may become victims of other forms of abuse, e.g. neglect or physical abuse [7]

FII can cause death and disability as well as physical, emotional and psychological problems.