BOSTON -- At Boston Medical Center, doctors have been overwhelmed with cases of child abuse and neglect recently, and officials warn the trend may only get worse in coming months.

NewsCenter 5’s Jarrod Holbrook reported that as the economy flounders, reports of child abuse are going up, and BMC is treating more than its fair share of abused children.

Dr. Robert Sege, BMC’s medical director of child protection, said that the number of abuse cases reported to the hospital this year has soared compared to last year.

“January and February have been as busy as they’ve ever been,” Sege said. “We think they were up about 30 percent compared to January and February of 2008.”

The trend of increasing abuse cases has been reflected at hospitals around the state. According to official figures, the Department of Children and Families recorded more than 23,000 cases of reported abuse and neglect of children last year -- the highest total the state has seen in at least five years.

In 2003, there were only about 20,000 cases, while numbers still hovered below last year’s total in 2007 and 2006.

According to the Sege, research suggests that there is a correlation between economic troubles and reports of child abuse.

”We know historically that when the economy turns south, it’s bad for children,” said Sege. “I think that we’re seeing more families that are emotionally stressed. All the research articles also suggest the economy is a contributing factor to child abuse and neglect.”

Child abuse investigators worry that the problem may only get worse, as federal funding for law enforcement shrivels up, and local towns and cities are forced to cut personnel.

“One of the things we need to do is make sure the safety net for children and families is in tact,” said Sege, who said that budget deficits and reduced staffing will place even more pressure on already burdened doctors, who are scrambling to help children suffering from abuse at home.

Sege is working with local advocates to secure federal stimulus funding for child protection programs.