Investigators from Corpus Christi, Texas and Boston conducted a prospective secondary analysis of 2,890 children evaluated by the ExSTRA (Examination of Siblings To Recognize Abuse) study. The purpose of the current study was to evaluate rates of follow-up skeletal surveys (FUSS) in suspected cases of nonaccidental trauma and determine whether FUSS provides new information. Participants included children <10 years of age who underwent evaluation for possible physical abuse by one of 20 child abuse teams in the study network. Only evaluations of index cases were included. Initial skeletal surveys (SS) were obtained based on American College of Radiology or American Academy of Pediatrics guidelines. The primary outcome was whether FUSS provided new information, defined as new fractures, or that a concerning finding on the initial SS was, in fact, not a fracture. A secondary outcome was the change in perceived likelihood of abuse before and after FUSS as measured by a child abuse physician using a previously published 7-point scale.¹

There were 2,049 children who had an initial SS, among whom a new injury was found in 23% (471 children). FUSS were recommended in 50.7% (n = 1,038) of those who had an initial SS, but the FUSS was only obtained in 76.7% of these children. New information was found in 21.9% (n = 174) of FUSS, most of which were new fractures (n = 124). Of those with new fractures on FUSS, the most common were of ribs, long bones, and metaphyseal lesions; 52.4% had multiple fractures. The perceived likelihood of abuse increased in 41 (33%) of these new fracture cases, while the likelihood remained at the maximum value in 51 cases (41%). Findings concerning for fractures on initial SS were determined by FUSS not to be fractures in 55 (6.9%) subjects. An initial negative SS followed by a positive FUSS occurred in 7.1% (n = 18) of cases.

The investigators conclude that FUSS are useful in children with suspected nonaccidental injury. They suggest that FUSS may be valuable in cases with a moderate level of concern for abuse.