Performing Skeletal Surveys in Suspected Child Abuse

Target Audience: Providers in emergency department and inpatient settings

Background and Objective

Through a comprehensive literature review and analysis of clinical scenarios, a panel of experts in child abuse, emergency medicine, and inpatient pediatrics developed consensus guidelines for performing initial skeletal surveys in children younger than 24 months presenting with bruising to an emergency department or inpatient setting. The guidelines are for children whose injuries are not accounted for by accidental trauma, bleeding disorders, or history of birth trauma.

Key Recommendations

Skeletal surveys were deemed necessary for the following children with bruising:

—<24 months old with any of the following:

• Witnessed or confessed history of ab…