Child Protection Team

For children admitted to The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia where there is a concern for child maltreatment, our Child Protection Team, also known as the Suspected Child Abuse and Neglect (SCAN) team, comprised of physicians, social workers is available to provide inpatient consultations.

These consultations may be requested to evaluate if a child has experienced:

  • Serious physical abuse
  • Factitious illness or medical child abuse
  • Supervisional or medical neglect
  • Failure to thrive/malnutrition
  • Acute sexual assault

For patients with suspected maltreatment, our Child Protection Team communicates directly with the child protective services and law enforcement agencies.

Our multidisciplinary team provides diagnostic assessments and treatment recommendations. We also offer assistance and guidance to children and caregivers in understanding the medical and social issues that have prompted their involvement in an investigation of suspected child maltreatment.

The Child Protection Team provides support to the CHOP Emergency Department and other physicians in the CHOP Care Network, and is available 24/7 for on-call consultations.