Close Alert Banner
Skip to Content

Hospital

ResearchFoundation

Text Resize

Regular Large X-Large

Colour Contrast

Default High

Accessible formats and communication supports are available, please contact accessibility@cheo.on.ca

View Our Accessibility Plan

CareersContact UsWebsite FeedbackMyChart
FR
Childrens Hospital of Eastern Ontario Logo
Contact Us
  • Coming to CHEO
    • Accessibility
    • Amenities
    • CHEO KidCare Pharmacy
    • Health Records
    • Maps and locations
    • Parking
    • Patient safety
    • Pay your bill
    • Preparing for your stay or visit
    • Research Connection
    • Visiting hours and policies
    View our Physician directory page
    Find Your Doctor Directory
  • Clinics, Services & Programs
    • A-Z Directory
    • Core Innovation
    • Emergency care
    • IR/Cath and Sim Labs
    • Make a referral
    • Mental health
    • School
    • Surgical care
    • Virtual care
  • Resources and Support
    • A-Z resources
    • Community supports
    • Families First newsletter
    • Family and caregiver supports
    • Indigeneity - Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Accessibility, Social justice
    • Patient Experience
    • Transition to adult care
  • Get Involved
    • Co-op program
    • Donate
    • Family Advisory Council
    • Feedback
    • Share your voice
    • Volunteer
    • YouthNet
  • About Us
    • About CHEO
    • Careers at CHEO
    • CHEO leadership
    • For community physicians
    • For learners, students and residents
    • For pharmacists
    • Newsroom
    • Our partners
    • Privacy and confidentiality

Disturbing trend of infants coming to CHEO with head trauma

Girl in wheelchair smiling at camera

Regular Large X-Large
 
  • Open new window to share this page via Facebook Facebook
  • Open new window to share this page via LinkedIn LinkedIn
  • Open new window to share this page via Twitter Twitter
  • Email this page Email
Email iconSubscribe to News

Contact us

Receive Email Updates...
Email icon Back to Search

Indicates parents and caregivers need more support during the COVID-19 pandemic

Ottawa, ON – January 28, 2021 – In collaboration with the Children’s Aid Society of Ottawa and Ottawa Public Health, CHEO is raising awareness of a disturbing trend. Since September, CHEO has seen more than twice as many infants (children under 1 year) for maltreatment concerns, specifically fractures and head trauma. Our community needs to be aware. 

“In my 16 years at CHEO, I have never seen this many infants with serious maltreatment injuries,” said Dr. Michelle Ward, pediatrician and Medical Director for Child and Youth Protection at CHEO. “It’s a stressful time for parents and caregivers. We all know it takes a village to raise a child. With staying at home during the pandemic, it can feel like the village is gone – be reassured, it’s not.”

The number of infants with fractures and/or head injuries for the period from Sept. 2019 to Jan. 2020 was eight. That number rose to 20 for the period from Sept. 2020 to Jan. 2021. 

Many community resources and support services are listed at Parenting in Ottawa and Ottawa Public Health. 

Should you have concerns for the safety or well-being of a child, or if you are a caregiver who requires support to keep your child safe, please call 613-747-7800.

“Parenting is hard. And it’s normal for parents to feel overwhelmed sometimes. But serious injuries can happen in just a few seconds of frustration. So if you or someone you know needs help, please reach out so our community can wrap around those in need,” continued Ward.

 

-30-

Media contacts

CHEO
Paddy Moore
pmoore@cheo.on.ca | c. 613-769-5553

Children’s Aid Society of Ottawa
Cindy Rosevear-Perron
cindy.perron@casott.on.ca

Ottawa Public Health
OPHmedia@ottawa.ca

About CHEO

Based in Canada’s capital, CHEO is a globally renowned health institution with a mission to provide exceptional care and support to children, youth and their families. Opening our doors in 1974, we offer a full range of specialized pediatric care and services to children from eastern and northern Ontario, western Quebec and Nunavut. Our site is home to a hospital, a children’s treatment centre, a school, a research institute, and is affiliated with the University of Ottawa as an academic health science centre. Named Canada’s best health-care employer by Forbes in 2024 and 2025, we are home to more than 6,500 staff, clinicians, scientists and researchers, as well as volunteers – all of whom work together to help children and youth achieve their best lives. 

CHEO

  • Coming to CHEO
  • Clinics, Services & Programs
  • Resources and Support
  • Get Involved
  • About Us

Contact Us

CHEO
401 Smyth Road
Ottawa ON K1H 8L1
Phone: 613-737-7600
Email Us

 

Connect with us

View our Facebook Page View our Instagram Page View our YouTube Page View our LinkedIn Page

Sign up for our newsletter

twitter:00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000

Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario logo

Copyright 2025 CHEO.

By GHD Digital
  • Sitemap
  • Accessibility
  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy and confidentiality
  • Website Feedback
  • Contact Us

Staff Portal

Close Old Browser Notification
Browser Compatibility Notification
It appears you are trying to access this site using an outdated browser. As a result, parts of the site may not function properly for you. We recommend updating your browser to its most recent version at your earliest convenience.