Munchhausen by proxy

Munchhausen by proxy A form of Munchhausen syndrome in which a parent feigns illness in a child. In some cases the parent is simply overanxious or poorly informed. In others, a misdirected desire for attention or psychiatric illness is the cause. In a very few cases, the parent actually causes the child’s illness, as by injecting toxic substances. See also Munchhausen syndrome.