This manual provides a state-of-the art review of child neglect in the United States, its nature, causes, and the implications of that knowledge for preventive and remedial intervention. After an introduction, the first chapter considers the definition of neglect including types of neglect, the withholding of medically indicated treatment from newborns, prenatal exposure to drugs, failure to thrive/malnutrition, and chronic versus "new" neglect. The next chapter discusses the causes of neglect including parents' developmental history and personality factors, characteristics of children and family system factors, contextual sources of stress and support, informal support systems, and stress. The third chapter examines short-term and long-term consequences of neglect at various ages as well as mediating effects and neglect-related child fatalities. A chapter on assessment of neglect notes indicators, causes of and barriers to adequate care, and structured assessment measures. An exhaustive chapter on intervention covers the following: (1) general guidelines, (2) interventions to remedy neglect, (3) multiservice interventions, (4) family-focused interventions, (5) family preservation services, (6) group approaches, (7) treatment of neglected children, (8) legal intervention, and (9) preventing burnout. The next to last chapter, on prevention of neglect, considers primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention. The final chapter addresses social policy implications such as attention to poverty, improvements in public social utilities, and service delivery systems. A glossary is provided. (Contains 63 references.) (DB)