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The deceit continues: an updated literature review of Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy
- Author:
- SHERIDAN Mary S.
- Journal article citation:
- Child Abuse and Neglect, 27(4), April 2003, pp.431-451.
- Publisher:
- Elsevier
This article presents an updated review of the literature of Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy (Factitious Disorder by Proxy, MBP). Four hundred fifty-one cases of MBP were analyzed from 154 medical and psychosocial journal articles. Typical victims may be either males or females, usually 4 years of age or under. Victims averaged 21.8 months from onset of symptoms to diagnosis. Six percent of victims were dead, and 7.3% were judged to have suffered long-term or permanent injury. Twenty-five percent of victims' known siblings are dead, and 61.3% of siblings had illnesses similar to those of the victim or which raised suspicions of MBP. Mothers were perpetrators in 76.5% of cases, but as knowledge of MBP grows a wider range of perpetrators is identified. In a small number of cases, MBP was found to co-exist with secondary gain or other inflicted injury. Although published cases form a non-random sample, they add to knowledge about MBP and validate claims that it occurs. More knowledge about non-medical aspects of MBP, and more pooling of data, is desirable.