Differences of Munchausen syndrome by proxy according to predominant symptoms in Japan.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of the present paper was to investigate differing characteristics of Munchausen syndrome by proxy (MSBP) between subjects with predominantly physical symptoms and those with predominantly psychological symptoms. METHODS: A questionnaire survey was sent to 11 leading doctors in the child abuse field in Japan, each located in different hospital-based sites. Child abuse doctors answered questions regarding the characteristics of MSBP subjects for whom they had helped care. The differences of characteristics between groups were analyzed using Fisher's exact test for categorical variables and Mann-Whitney U-test for continuous variables. RESULTS: Among 21 reported MSBP subjects, 16 MSBP subjects with predominantly physical symptoms (PHY) and five MSBP subjects with predominantly psychological symptoms (PSY) were found. PHY were more likely to be produced, whereas PSY cases were more often simulated. PHY cases were more often life-threatening than PSY cases, but decisions made by the Child Guidance Center surrounding the custodial outcome of MSBP victims did not differ between PHY and PSY cases. CONCLUSIONS: Social welfare services that need to decide on custody for MSBP victims should recognize the relatively high risk of life-threatening danger of PHY cases in their family of origin.

'Munchausen's syndrome by proxy' or a 'miscarriage of justice'? An initial application of functional neuroimaging to the question of guilt versus innocence.

'Munchausen's syndrome by proxy' characteristically describes women alleged to have fabricated or induced illnesses in children under their care, purportedly to attract attention. Where conclusive evidence exists the condition's aetiology remains speculative, where such evidence is lacking diagnosis hinges upon denial of wrong-doing (conduct also compatible with innocence). How might investigators obtain objective evidence of guilt or innocence? Here, we examine the case of a woman convicted of poisoning a child. She served a prison sentence but continues to profess her innocence. Using a modified fMRI protocol (previously published in 2001) we scanned the subject while she affirmed her account of events and that of her accusers. We hypothesized that she would exhibit longer response times in association with greater activation of ventrolateral prefrontal and anterior cingulate cortices when endorsing those statements she believed to be false (i.e., when she 'lied'). The subject was scanned 4 times at 3 Tesla. Results revealed significantly longer response times and relatively greater activation of ventrolateral prefrontal and anterior cingulate cortices when she endorsed her accusers' version of events. Hence, while we have not 'proven' that this subject is innocent, we demonstrate that her behavioural and functional anatomical parameters behave as if she were.

Age-related changes in colon motility.

To assess age-related changes, we analyzed 32 colon manometry studies of children referred for motility studies and found not to have colonic disease. Colon motility was recorded by endoscopically placed water-perfused catheters. There was an inverse correlation between the number of high-amplitude propagated contractions and age, before and after administration of a meal; colonic contractions different from the high-amplitude propagated contractions increased with age.

Pseudoseizures in the era of video-electroencephalogram monitoring.

Psychogenic seizures may be difficult to distinguish from epileptic seizures lacking electrographic correlate. The presence of concomitant epilepsy or Munchausen syndrome by proxy may increase diagnostic difficulty. Clinical seizure characteristic, suggestion, prolactin levels, and continued recording after medication withdrawal may be useful in reaching a diagnosis. Dissociative disorders may be very common in psychogenic seizure patients.