Bruce 3

Head Injuries in the Pediatric Population

Citation:

Bruce, DA: Head injuries in the pediatric population. Current Problems in Pediatrics 20(2):67-107, February 1990.

Notes:

"Homicide is the most common cause of head injury mortality in children between 1 month and 1 year of life." (p. 70)
"Severe injury is rarely the result of accidental trauma in this age group, and when such trauma does occur, it is major and witnessed." (p. 71)
Severe intracranial hypertension may lead to a bicycling type of arm and leg movement.
"The combination of a poor history and an easily misinterpreted examination often results in delayed therapy for these children even iwthin the hospital setting, until respiratory arrest or further seizures occur." (p. 74)
Hypoxic ischemic brain injury may occur because of delayed medical attention and increased intracranial pressure.
Brain edema usually occurs 24-48 hours or longer after injury.