Publications

Scholarly Journals--Published

  • Vollmer-Sandholm, MJ et al. Characteristics of pediatric cases presenting for concerns of abusive head trauma in Norway. Child Protection and Practice, June 2026 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chipro.2026.100296   Background Abusive head trauma (AHT) is a frequent cause of severe and fatal head injury in young children. There are few published studies on AHT from Scandinavia. Objective To describe the characteristics of AHT in Norway and examine whether documented prior concerns could have enabled earlier identification and prevention. Participants and Setting Retrospective study of children aged <4 years admitted with head injury and reported to the police for suspected AHT between 2003–2019. Based on medicolegal investigation, cases were classified as deemed inflicted or indeterminate. Methods Mixed-methods retrospective chart review of medicolegal case files, including medical records and police investigation reports, focusing on demographics, medical and social history, and circumstances around the time of presentation to care. Findings Of 77 children (median age 4 months; 64% male), 55 were deemed inflicted and 22 indeterminate. Inflicted cases had typically more severe injuries and poorer outcomes, with low GCS on admission and 15% mortality. In 78% of all cases no history of trauma was initially offered and in 65% there was delay before seeking care. At least one prior concern related to illness, injuries or parental coping was documented before the head injury in 55% of cases, more often in inflicted (62%) than indeterminate AHT (36%; P = 0.04). In 32% of cases there appeared to have been opportunities to intervene prior to the injury. Conclusion Most AHT cases present without a reported trauma history and with delay in seeking care. Prior concerns about the child's well-being are common, indicating potential for prevention. (06/2026) (link)
  • Lamela D, Nurmatov U, Alfandari R, Söderlind N, Crous G, Roth M, Vollmer-Sandholm MJ, Fuentes-Peláez N, Carvalho H, Rockhold P, Aksoy B, Bulut E, Cirik VA, Sofuoglu Z, Ulukol B, Jud A, Otterman G, Korhonen L, COST Action network 19106 (2024) A scoping review of participatory approaches in child maltreatment research across Europe Child Abuse Negl, 162 (Pt 1), 107229 DOI 10.1016/j.chiabu.2024.107229, PubMed 39721834 (12/2024)
  • Vollmer-Sandholm, M.J., Myhre, A.K., Albæk, A.U. et al. Child Maltreatment: To Report or Not to Report? It’s More Complex than That. Int. Journal on Child Malt. 7, 529–551 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42448-024-00212-0 (08/2024)
  • Otterman G, Nurmatov UB, Akhlaq A, Korhonen L, Kemp AM, Naughton A, Chalumeau M, Jud A, Vollmer Sandholm MJ, Mora-Theuer E, Moultrie S, Lamela D, Tagiyeva-Milne N, Nelson J, Greenbaum J, COST Action 19106 Research Team (2024) Clinical care of childhood sexual abuse: a systematic review and critical appraisal of guidelines from European countries Lancet Reg Health Eur, 39, 100868 DOI 10.1016/j.lanepe.2024.100868, PubMed 38420107 (04/2024)
  • Otterman G, Nurmatov UB, Akhlaq A, Korhonen L, Kemp AM, Naughton A, Chalumeau M, Jud A, Vollmer Sandholm MJ, Mora-Theuer E, Moultrie S, Lamela D, Tagiyeva-Milne N, Nelson J, Greenbaum J, COST Action 19106 Research Team (2024) Clinical care of childhood sexual abuse: a systematic review and critical appraisal of guidelines from European countries Lancet Reg Health Eur, 39, 100868 DOI 10.1016/j.lanepe.2024.100868, PubMed 38420107 (04/2023)
  • Vollmer-Sandholm MJ, Myhre AK, Otterman G, Lydersen S, Stray-Pedersen A (2021) Amongst Norwegian paediatricians there is little agreement in management of cases of suspected child maltreatment Acta Paediatr, 110 (10), 2865-2872 DOI 10.1111/apa.16017, PubMed 34214215 (10/2021)
  • Stray-Pedersen A, Vollmer-Sandholm MJ, Aukland SM, Due-Tønnessen BJ, Grøgaard JB, Haugen OH, Myhre AK, Møller C, Osberg S, Rognum TO (2021) Re-evaluation of abusive head trauma in Norway appears flawed Acta Paediatr, 111 (4), 793-797 DOI 10.1111/apa.16069, PubMed 34390511 (08/2021)
  • Stray-Pedersen A, Moller C, de Lange C, Myhre AK, Rognum TO, Due-Tonnessen BJ, Grogaard JB, Haugen OH, Hikmat O, Mahesparan R, Muller LSO, Myhre MC, Nedregaard B, Nordhov SM, Rosendahl K, Sorbo T, Vollmer-Sandholm MJ, Aukland SM (2019) The doctors' role in cases of suspected child abuse Tidsskr. Nor. Laegeforen., 139 (2), 126-128 (01/2019)