OTTAWA -- CHEO says it is seeing a "disturbing trend" of infants coming into the children's hospital with head trauma, broken bones and other injuries through the fall and winter.

Since September, CHEO reports its doctors have seen more than twice as many infants (children under one year) with maltreatment concerns, specifically fractures and head trauma.

"In my 16 years at CHEO, I have never seen this many infants with serious maltreatment injuries," said Dr. Michelle Ward, CHEO's Medical Director for Child and Youth Protection.

"It’s a stressful time for parents and caregivers. We all know it takes a village to raise a child. With staying at home during the pandemic, it can feel like the village is gone – be reassured, it’s not."

In an interview with CTV News Ottawa Friday afternoon, Dr. Ward said doctors began to notice a trend of infants arriving at the hospital with suspected "maltreatment" injuries.

"From September to January, we saw 20 children that had serious injuries - either fractures or broken bones, or injuries to their head. In the same time period last year, we only saw eight," said Dr. Ward.

"What we're seeing is more infants with serious injuries and in that category are fractures to the bones, which could be any of the bones of the body, or head injuries."

CHEO, Ottawa Public Health and the Children's Aid Society issued the public service announcement on Friday morning, saying, "Disturbing trend of infants coming to CHEO with head trauma.  Indicates parents and caregivers need more support during the COVID-19 pandemic."

Dr. Ward says the injuries doctors are seeing have "likely been caused by the people looking after" the infants.

"We test for two different things – one is what kinds of injuries are present and also, could there be medical conditions that make the child susceptible to breaking a bone or having bleeding around their brain," said Dr. Ward. "At the same time, we have to make a report to a child welfare agency to investigate how these injuries occurred. Unfortunately, many of them are due to maltreatment or abuse of the baby."

CHEO says if you have concerns for the safety or wellbeing of a child, or if you are a caregiver who requires support to keep your child safe, you can call 613-747-7800.

"We know that this is a hard time for parents and we also know that isolation and stress are risk factors for this kind of problem," said Dr. Ward.

"So, I do think that parent's ability to cope has really been tested and more people are getting to the ends of their ropes. I'm also hearing from colleagues across the country that there is some variability in different places, and it appears that places that have had more significant restrictions are seeing this pattern of injuries."

Dr. Ward notes that physicians in the Maritimes are not seeing the same type of injuries as other areas during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The CHEO pediatrician has a message for parents.

"We know it's a hard time and that it's normal to get frustrated and overwhelmed sometimes," said Dr. Ward tells CTV News Ottawa. "As they're watching this or in another calm moment, to actually make a plan to what are they actually going to do when they feel frustrated or feel overwhelmed."

Dr. Ward recommends if you are not coping, hand the child off to another caregiver or put the baby in a carriage and go for a walk outside.

"Sometimes just that pause is enough."

CHEO says community resources are available on the Ottawa Public Health website.

 “Parenting is hard. And it’s normal for parents to feel overwhelmed sometimes," said Ward in a statement Friday morning from CHEO.

"But serious injuries can happen in just a few seconds of frustration. So if you or someone you know needs help, please reach out so our community can wrap around those in need."