Sublingual Hematoma: When to Suspect Child Abuse.

The article presents a case study of a 7-month-old male who was diagnosed with sublingual hematoma secondary to nonaccidental trauma (NAT), also known as child abuse. Topics covered include the detection of a partial tear in the lingual frenulum during the patient's oropharyngeal exam, the rate of child abuse in 2011 as reported by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and the role of the hospital Child Protection Program in evaluating patients for NAT.