代理型孟乔森症候群是指一护理者故意夸大或揑造受护理者的生理、心理、行为或精神问题，甚或促成该等问题的心理疾病。

代理型孟乔森综合征则是虚构别人的症状，特别是子女、晚辈、弟妹等需要照顾的人。也有护士向医生谎报病人出现疾病的案例。严重一些的代理型孟乔森综合征则会向所照顾对象的饮用水、食物中投放有毒药物。如英国一位被称为死亡天使的儿科护士贝弗丽·艾里特， 在工作期间，她向患儿注射会导致心脏停跳的氯化钾和造成低血糖的胰岛素。共造成了4名儿童死亡，至少5人受到伤害。

Munchausen syndrome by proxy (MSbP or MbP) is a behaviour pattern in which a caregiver or spouse fabricates, exaggerates, or induces mental or physical health problems in those who are in their care, usually to gain attention or sympathy from others. With deception at its core, this behaviour is an elusive, potentially lethal, and frequently misunderstood form of child abuse or medical neglect that has been difficult to define, detect, and confirm.