Doctor questioned DD's bruises today

[MiaSparrow]

She's 4. DP took her to the GP for something unrelated and he tells me the doctor immediately took him up on the apparent bruises on her legs. Half of it was felt tip, actually, which DP was able to rub off, but still, the doctor then went on to question DD herself, and exactly how she got them. DP said it really felt as if the doctor had it in for him from the start. (Obviously I wasn't there so can't clarify this).

I know he's only doing his job and yes, it's good they're thorough, but until you've been implicated like that... I've just been feeling really bloody low about it all evening. Am I being overly sensitive?

I should add she's so pale she's practically transparent (Irish and Scottish blood - a real celt), so any bruising really shows up and also, she's a complete clumsy clogs and is always falling over and running into things - but aren't all four-year-olds?

Don't your LOs not have bruises too? Please help me feel better about this.

Yes, mine are constantly bruised. It's a sign of lots of playing out and taking risks in their play. The Doc is only doing their job though. They tend to look for bruising in odd places like upper arms, thighs, torso and not typical 'clumsy child' places like knees, shins and elbows. Please don't worry.

Thank you Flopsy. Yes, that's what I would have thought. Just shins and knees.

I have two small children, equally liable to falling over and running into things - one has legs constantly covered in bruises, the other never has. I assumed it was genetic - DH bruises very easily, I never do.

I know he's only doing his job and yes, it's good they're thorough, but until you've been implicated like that... I've just been feeling really bloody low about it all evening. Am I being overly sensitive?

Don't feel low-it really wasn't a criticism of you so try not to take it personally. As you said normal children have bruises from being normal children and some children have bruises from being abused. He asked the right questions because he saw bruises. You gave the right answers and no more will come of it. No fault no fuss. Have you got chocolate, wine or another suitable pick me up?

I thought it was a requirement of childhood to have a good crop of bruises on your shins?
Bruises there and nowhere else shouldnt be a cause for concern though. If there was something else like grab marks or scratches then questions should be asked but surely a paediatrician should be aware that children play and bash themselves all of the time.

I bruise so easily! I think DD takes after me. Admittedly, it can look awful.

Two of my DC have very pale skin & their legs were always covered with bruises as children. I bruise easily too.

Ha! Thanks all. Yes, I am on the wine, Purple

My 4 year old is covered in bruises too.

I was quite relieved last time we took him to a swimming lesson, to see a row of children all with bruised legs.

I worry it looks bad, but he's really clumsy / clowns around until he falls over.

Yes. My DDs are constantly bruised.

We have lots of parks near us which we spend lots of time on so they're always climbing etc, therefore there are a lot of bangs. DD1 goes to before and after school club at the local soft play so she's always covered in bruises from there.

Dd2 is exactly the same - red-haired and pale as milk with skin that bruises at the brush of a feather. I count myself really lucky, actually, that nobody has ever questioned it, because her legs often look awful. She's 9 now and still covered in bruises - and can never remember how she got any of them.

Dd1 has a completely different skin tone and I can't remember the last time I saw a bruise on her.

Yes, my DC are covered in bruises, especially DS.

It's hard, but don't take it personally. Better he be thorough and check it out, than potentially let a child slip through the net.

And unfortunately, research shows that children are most at risk from family members, and most specifically, mothers' partners (i.e. step-father figures).

Also, a lot of bruising could also indicate something like low platelets (e.g. ITP), which would definitely require treatment.

We bruise easily too, goes with being clmbsy and weird collagen.

My eldest is the clumsiest child I've ever known, her legs are covered in bruises.

It's not helped that she's pale and, like me, bruises like a peach. I'm currently sporting two huge black bruises on my leg and I have no clue how they got there

My DS is like me and bruises like a peach! Doctor commented in it with me when DS was younger, he is also a gorgeous freckly red head and my mum has always joked I have 'ginger skin' with dark hair (freckles and burn in winter)

Hyper mobile ie double jointed people bruise easily. Could be that.

Thanks everyone. Feijoa I'll have a look at the low platelets thing but my gut tells me it's just her skin tone - just like mine. I've been accused of having anemia my whole life when my iron levels are actually really good. I'm just very pale.

More I didn't know that and I am hyper mobile (can silence a class of 16 year olds with my thumbs!!) and I bruise just looking at the edge of a desk!

DD's legs are covered in bruises

The doctor was just doing his job and it sounds as if he is satisfied there's no need to take things further, so try to put it out of your mind now. It will just be a story you tell to others in a couple of years

My son, years ago was rushed to hospital with febrile convulsions and suspected meningitis. When we arrived I was very closely questioned and challenged to eliminate a head injury in case it was causing a a floppy and convulsing toddler. I had emotionally shut down with the stress and I guess they thought I was being "too cool". I eventually broke down screaming and begging them to help my DS. Another Dr rushed in and tore the first Dr off a strip, saying its obvious she hasn't hurt her child. A day later the second Dr came on to the ward to apologise for what had happened in A&E reassuring me that they knew I was a loving and caring mother and explaining why they had to question me like that.

It left me feeling so traumatised, but I don't blame them. They are doing their job and they risk so much if they don't spot the signs of an abused child, often the first time abuse is spotted is when a child is brought in for another medical problem.

I work in a job like this- it would still make me feel almost victimised if it were my own child, though, as the thought of it is just unthinkable. If it were a child being abused though, we would all want doctors to have asked these questions, though, and doctors are professionally tied to doing do. It really is just part of the job. Try to forget it. Your lucky DD and her lovely milky skin

Thank you everyone

Dear god, I'malways covered in mystery bruises.

Every night when im getting undressed its "ooov, that must've hurt - Wonder how I did that?'. Its a combination of having the balance if a dead fruitbat and pale skin.

it could be worse my son has a huge bruise on his face he fell in the town center people look at me like im a bad abusive parent but he literally tripped over his own feet i took him straight to minor injuries he is fine but the looks i got from everyone else

I think you should try not to worry about it. Doctors have to be on the look out for suspicious bruises. My DS had to visit A and E two days in a row for two separate incidents and we got a visit by a health visitor (?) I honestly didn't mind - I'd rather have them be overly cautious than miss things.

I'm sure the doctor would recognise normal kid bruises.