Fabricated or Induced Illness

Fabricated or induced illness (FII) is a rare form of child abuse. It occurs when a parent or carer, usually the child's biological mother, exaggerates or deliberately causes symptoms of illness in the child.

Signs of fabricated or induced illness

FII covers a wide range of symptoms and behaviours involving parents seeking healthcare for a child. This ranges from extreme neglect (failing to seek medical care) to induced illness. Behaviours in FII include a mother or other carer who:

Persuades healthcare professionals that their child is ill when they're perfectly healthy exaggerates or lies about their child's symptoms
Manipulates test results to suggest the presence of illness - for example, by putting glucose in urine samples to suggest the child has diabetes
Deliberately induces symptoms of illness - for example, by poisoning her child with unnecessary medication or other substances
REFERENCE: NHS

If you are worried for yourself or about a child then contact the NSPCC for advice and guidance on: 0808 800 5000

www.nspcc.org.uk

If you are worried or have any concerns, please contact the Buttercups Safeguarding and Welfare Team.

OFFICE HOURS: 0115 937 4936
OUT OF HOURS: 07483 038898
EMAIL: safeguarding@buttercups.co.uk

OTHER USEFUL RESOURCES

PHARMACIST SUPPORT

Pharmacist Support is an independent charity set up to provide help and support to pharmacy students, pre-registration (pharmacist) trainees, pharmacists, retired pharmacists and their families in times of need.

WEBSITE: www.pharmacistsupport.org
TELEPHONE: 0808 168 2233