As Det. Flynn notes, most (but not all) sufferers of Munchausen's by proxy are women, often having some form of medical knowledge. In this type of the syndrome, sufferers inflict their child with injuries or illness to garner attention, usually from doctors or others in positions of authority (police, media, etc.)
The term Munchausen's by proxy describes a mental disorder found in two forms: Munchausen's proper (involving the sufferer themselves) or Munchausen's by proxy, in which the sufferer induces physical ailments and/or illnesses in their child.
There are other manifestations of the disease, especially in Munchausen's proper, in which a sufferer will intentionally cause a life-threatening incident (such as setting a house on fire) so they can "save" those involved and gain attention by becoming a hero of sorts.
John Bennett Perry (real life father of Matthew Perry) and Pat Crowley also played husband/wife in an episode of Friends (season 4 ep 18 The One With Rachel's New Dress)
Michael Kostroff and Deirdre Lovejoy starred together in The Wire (2002)