Pediatric minor closed head injury.
Many studies have found conflicting evidence over the use of clinical indicators to predict intracranial injury in pediatric mild head injury. Although altered mental status, loss of consciousness, and abnormal neurologic examination have all been found to be more prevalent among head-injured children, studies have observed inconsistent results over their specificity and predictive value. Children older than 2 years have been evaluated, managed, and studied differently than those less than 2 years old. Evidence strongly supports a lower threshold to perform a CT scan in younger children because they have a higher risk of significant brain injury after blunt head trauma.
Thiessen
Mary L
ML
Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Arizona, 1515 North Campbell Avenue, Tucson, AZ 85724, USA.
Woolridge
Dale P
DP
D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000145:classification; D001924:Brain Concussion / Q000145:classification; D015600:Glasgow Coma Scale; D016489:Head Injuries, Closed / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D012307:Risk Factors; D012886:Skull / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014474:Unconsciousness