Increased knowledge of child abuse has mad what was once an infrequently diagnosed condition become recognised as a major pediatric and social problem. While there is no typical profile of an abusive parent, characteristics that have been found more frequently include a history of having been deprived and possible abused in the parent's own childhood, low self-esteem in the mother and increased ill-health in the immediate family members. Personality testing shows that the parents relate poorly to their children and to other people and that they have immature and impetuous personalities. Predictive studies show that abuse is commoner in families where the above characteristics are found, where family supports are minimal and where there are complications in the pregnancy, birth and in the neonatal period. However it should be recognised that the majority of families with these characteristics do not abuse their children. There is evidence that supportive measures provided to families who have known risk factors for abuse can reduce the incidence of this problem.