What clinical sign may indicate the need for referral to a specialist for suspected child abuse?

Multiple unexplained fractures in a child are a strong indicator of possible child abuse and warrant referral to a specialist. This clinical sign raises significant concern because fractures that are inconsistent with the expected patterns of injuries for a child's developmental level can suggest non-accidental trauma. The presence of multiple fractures, especially if they occur in varying stages of healing or in unusual locations, can be red flags for a healthcare professional to investigate further.

Other clinical signs, while they may indicate various medical issues, do not specifically point to potential abuse as clearly as multiple fractures do. Recurrent infections might suggest an underlying medical condition or environmental factors but are not directly indicative of abuse. A high fever could be due to a vast array of infections or illnesses without implicating abuse. Developmental delays can result from numerous factors, ranging from genetic disorders to environmental influences but do not specifically signal abuse like the presence of multiple unexplained fractures does.