Risk Stratification of Intermediate-Risk Children With Minor Head Injury

Pediatr Emerg Care. 2020 Nov;36(11):e659-e664. doi: 10.1097/PEC.0000000000001938.

Abstract

The Pediatric Emergency Care Applied Research Network rule helps emergency physicians identify very low-risk children with minor head injury who can forgo head computed tomography. This rule contributes to reduction in lifetime risk of radiation-induced cancers while minimizing missing clinically important traumatic brain injury. However, in intermediate-risk children, decisions on whether to perform computed tomography remain at the emergency physicians' discretion. To reduce this gray zone, this review summarizes evidence for risk stratification of intermediate-risk children with minor head injury.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Child
  • Craniocerebral Trauma / diagnostic imaging*
  • Decision Making*
  • Emergency Service, Hospital*
  • Humans
  • Radiation Dosage
  • Risk Assessment*
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed*