[Neglect and endangerment of the wellbeing of infants and young children].

Neglect and threatened welfare in childhood have a background of complex interactions of a multitude of risk factors. Their high level of vulnerability put infants and young children at particular risk in regard to their social and emotional, cognitive and physical development, and a life-threatening situation can quickly arise. The immediate threats to endangered children are rooted in the deficiencies of their parents with regard to upbringing, and their incompetence in the field of interpersonal relationships. As a rule, an imminent threat to the child's wellbeing is signaled by the negative quality of parent-child interaction, resulting in an early bonding problem. As a supplement to the routine diagnostic work-up, therefore, early interaction diagnosis is recommended. This enables (as yet) fragile signs of incipient neglect or threats to the child's well-being to be recognized in good time.