P3A152: Analysis of Cases Presenting with Concern of Child Abuse or Neglect to a Child Protection Team

Background: Limited data is available on the types of cases presenting for triage by child abuse specialists, particularly data that combines patient demographics with information on the presenting concerns and triage outcomes. This study aims to provide a descriptive analysis of cases presenting with concern of abuse to one child abuse medical subspecialty team.

Methods: Data was collected for all referrals triaged by a child abuse team located within an academic children’s medical center due to concern for child abuse. Patient demographics, case characteristics, triage outcomes and services provided was recorded in an internal data tracking tool during the time period of 7/1/2021 through 6/30/2022.

Results: CPP triaged a total of 928 new cases from all triage sources and completed 345 in-person visits with a medical provider. Nearly half of all provider visits were for evaluation of children aged 3 years and younger (51%) and for a concern of physical abuse (49%). Physical abuse was the most frequent presenting concern in infants, while sexual assault/abuse was the most frequent concern in children aged 15 years or older. Of triages resulting in provider visits, 26% were determined to be consistent with an accident or medical condition. Skin injury (54%) was the most common presenting injury in children presenting with a concern of physical abuse.

Conclusion: This descriptive analysis highlights the burden of child abuse cases presenting to one small hospital-based child abuse program, as well as the importance of this program in alleviating this burden from community PCPs and emergency departments by applying sub-specialty medical expertise.