ISSN: 0022-1198
CODEN: JFSCA
Page Count: 7

Families, Murder, and Insanity: A Psychiatric Review of Paternal Neonaticide
Borenstein, NM
Clinical director, Central New York Psychiatric Center, NY

Kaye, NS
Assistant professor, University of Massachusetts School of Medicine, Worcester State Hospital, MA

Donnelly, SM
Massachusetts General Hospital, MA

(Received 21 January 1989; accepted 3 February 1989)

Abstract

Neonaticide is the killing of a newborn within the first 24 h of life. Although relatively uncommon, numerous cases of maternal neonaticide have been reported. To date, only two cases of paternal neonaticide have appeared in the literature. The authors review neonaticide and present two new case reports of paternal neonaticide. A psychodynamic explanation of paternal neonaticide is formulated. A new definition for neonaticide, more consistent with biological and psychological determinants, is suggested.

Keywords:
psychiatry, neonaticide, paternal neonaticide

Paper ID: JFS12810J
DOI: 10.1520/JFS12810J
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