The object of this investigation was to undertake an epidemiological study of the cases of child abuse and neglect, which resulted in contact with a forensic officer, an Institute of Forensic Medicine or the Medico-Legal Council during the period of 1970-79. A total of 901 children aged 0-17 years were registered in this retrospective investigation. One hundred and sixty-four children (51% boys) were physically or emotionally abused or neglected. 75% were 0-7 years old. Seven hundred and thirty-seven children (8% boys) were sexually abused. 75% were over seven years of age. In the first group (physical abuse), information was frequently available about prior abuse of the index-child, siblings and conflicts between the parents. In 27% of the cases the abuser was the mother, 21% the father, 14% stepfather, 3% daycaretaker, while the remainder were combinations or unknown. The lesions were often bruises or attempted strangulation. Thirty-six children in this group died. In the second group (sexual abuse), there was often information of previous sexual abuse of the index-child and siblings. The perpetrator was always male. In 47% of the cases the perpetrator was unknown to the child. In the rest of the cases the perpetrator was a relative, friend of the family or person known to the child. In about half the cases the abuse consisted of vaginal penetration or intercrural rubbing. In 24 cases strangulation was part of the abuse, but no fatal cases occurred. In seven cases, the abuse resulted in venerial disease, in six cases pregnancy and 68 cases of lesions of the hymen.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)