Munchausen Syndrome and Sexual Abuse Allegations

Munchausen Syndrome by proxy in false allegations of child sexual abuse: Legal implications
Barker, Lisa, Howell, Robert
Bulletin American Academy Psychiatry Law, Vol. 22, No.4, 1994
Abstract
Presents a review of the literature regarding Munchausen syndrome by proxy in relation to allegations of child sexual abuse. Problems in the diagnosis of Munchausen syndrome by proxy in these cases can be the result of a failure to consider that the allegations may be false, legal issues surrounding the child’s testimony, and other biases in professional and legal attitudes toward allegations of sexual abuse. A proposal for a more stringent standard of care is made. Treatment of Munchausen syndrome by proxy is best effected by case management, with the person who made the diagnosis managing the case throughout the treatment. This person should act as a liaison to relay information between all the parties involved.

False allegations of abuse and munchausen syndrome by proxy
Roy Meadow
Archives of Disease in Childhood, 1993; 68: 444-447
Abstract
Fourteen children from seven families are reported for whom false allegations of abuse were made by the mother.  Twelve children were alleged to have incurred sexual abuse, one both sexual and physical abuse, and one physical abuse alone.  Thirteen of the children had incurred, or were currently victims of, factitious illness abuse invented by the mother.  The one child with no history of factitious illness abuse had a sibling who had incurred definite factitious illness abuse.  The false allegations of abuse did not occur in the context of parental separation, divorce, or custody disputes concerning the children.  They occurred in the context of Munchausen syndrome by proxy abuse.  The mother was the source of the false allegations and was the person who encouraged or taught six of the children to substantiate allegations of sexual abuse.

The deceit continues: an updated literature review of Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy
Mary S. Sheridan
Child Abuse & Neglect 27 (2003) 431–451
Abstract
Objective: This article presents an updated review of the literature of Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy (Factitious Disorder by Proxy, MBP).
Method: Four hundred fifty-one cases of MBP were analyzed from 154 medical and psychosocial journal articles.
Results: 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.
Conclusion: 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.