Kathleen asked about the "baby starvation syndrome"--I believe she is
referring to Munchhausen's Syndrome, a psychiatric disorder wherein the
person seeks medical assistance and attention for illness  that is not
real. People have been known to undergo extensive medical
investigations,including surgeries,before a diagnosis of Munchhausen's
Syndrome is made.  They will make themselves ill,through starvation,
ingesting toxic substances,or other self-injury, and then seek medical
attention for their illness.I read of a case in 1979, where a mother was
convicted of second degree murder of her 16 month old adopted daughter,and
she was believed to have Munchhausen's Syndrome.
                                Paula Conning,BScN,IBCLC
                                Orangeville,Ontario