Case Report: Neonaticide, infanticide, and filicide — psychopathological aspects and forensic implications
- 1Institute of Psychiatry (IPUB), Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ)
- 2Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, Fluminense Federal University (UFF)
Abstract
This article offers an in-depth analysis of child homicide committed by parents, using two clinical cases to illustrate the complexity of the issue. A variety of social, psychological, and educational factors contribute to this serious fatality. Mental disorders such as mood disorders and psychotic conditions often play a significant role. The article highlights the critical need for mental health services to address issues such as treatment disengagement and non-adherence, which are frequently precursors to violent behavior in individuals with severe mental illnesses. Additionally, providing support to socially vulnerable pregnant women, even those without mental disorders, is critically important. To help mitigate risks and prevent family tragedies the assessment of the presence of psychiatric symptoms during the postpartum period by psychiatrists, obstetricians, and pediatricians is essential.
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BibTeX
@article{lima2026case,
title = {{Case Report: Neonaticide, infanticide, and filicide — psychopathological aspects and forensic implications}},
author = {Renata de Souza Rosa Lima and Julia de Bulhões Carvalho Schechtman and Antonio Egidio Nardi and Alexandre Martins Valença},
journal = {Frontiers in Psychiatry},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.3389/fpsyt.2026.1824900},
url = {https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2026.1824900/full},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Case Report: Neonaticide, infanticide, and filicide — psychopathological aspects and forensic implications
AU - Renata de Souza Rosa Lima
AU - Julia de Bulhões Carvalho Schechtman
AU - Antonio Egidio Nardi
AU - Alexandre Martins Valença
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/19
JO - Frontiers in Psychiatry
DO - 10.3389/fpsyt.2026.1824900
UR - https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2026.1824900/full
AB - This article offers an in-depth analysis of child homicide committed by parents, using two clinical cases to illustrate the complexity of the issue. A variety of social, psychological, and educational factors contribute to this serious fatality. Mental disorders such as mood disorders and psychotic conditions often play a significant role. The article highlights the critical need for mental health services to address issues such as treatment disengagement and non-adherence, which are frequently precursors to violent behavior in individuals with severe mental illnesses. Additionally, providing support to socially vulnerable pregnant women, even those without mental disorders, is critically important. To help mitigate risks and prevent family tragedies the assessment of the presence of psychiatric symptoms during the postpartum period by psychiatrists, obstetricians, and pediatricians is essential.
SN - 1664-0640
ER -