title: Diagnosing pediatric head trauma.
abstract: The accurate diagnosis and successful management of pediatric abusive head trauma present pediatricians with many unique challenges. To overcome these challenges requires a high index of clinical suspicion; a willingness to report any suspicion of abuse; knowledge of the relevant medical literature; a direct, nonaccusatory, and supportive approach with parents; thorough history taking; meticulous physical examination; and most important, professional objectivity and integrity. Your patients deserve no less.
authors.affiliation: Pediatric Forensic Assessment and Consultation Team, Inova Fairfax Hospital for Children, Falls Church, VA, USA.
authors.forename: Kent P
authors.initials: KP
authors.lastname: Hymel
authors.forename: Caitlin A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Hall
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D002649:Child Abuse / Q000175:diagnosis*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006259:Craniocerebral Trauma / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D003951:Diagnostic Errors / Q000517:prevention & control; D005104:Expert Testimony; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D019221:Mandatory Reporting