Child abuse and deprivation.  A review of the records at Coronation Hospital, Johannesburg. 
A hospital-based, descriptive study to determine the incidence of child abuse and 'child deprivation' in the community served by Coronation Hospital was conducted.  Clinical records from 1 January 1979 to 30 June 1984 were consulted, and statistics extracted.  A questionnaire was distributed among the medical staff involved with the diagnosis and management of child abuse.  A total of 9 821 case summaries were analysed and a total of 23 cases of confirmed child abuse were recorded during this period, giving an incidence of 2.48 confirmed cases of abuse per 1 000 paediatric admissions.  Of the children admitted 301.8/1 000 were found to be less than the 3rd percentile for both weight for age and height for age, and were classified as 'deprived' in terms of this study.