Infectious diseases presentations of Munchausen syndrome by proxy: Case report and review of the literature

Munchausen syndrome by proxy is a form of abuse, usually of a child by a parent, in which a factitious illness is reported or produced in the child, resulting in unnecessary medical evaluations and treatments. A dramatic case of a 17-month-old infant with recurrent polymicrobial bacteremia prompted a review of cases diagnosed by the Pediatric Infectious Diseases consultation service at our referral children's hospital and a review of the infectious diseases presentations in the medical literature, The infectious diseases presentations of the syndrome as well as criteria for the diagnosis are reviewed and discussed.