Mild Head Trauma in a Paediatric Hospital: Analysis of the PECARN Rule, Traumatic Lesions on Head CT, and Functional Sequelae.

Abstract

Introduction: Mild head trauma is frequent in Paediatrics and its management varies widely across clinicians. Questions regarding patients' management, outcomes, head trauma prevention, the adequacy of computerized tomography (CT) prescription and the adherence to the Pediatric Emergency Care Applied Research Network (PECARN) rule are still discussed.

Methods: We performed a retrospective observational study of mild head trauma patients who underwent head CT, characterizing the presenting signs and symptoms, mechanisms of injury, head CT lesions, and outcomes. Statistical associations between signs and symptoms, CT lesions, PECARN risk groups and outcomes were explored.

Results: Three hundred and eleven patients were included, with 18.8% of patients under 2 years having CT traumatic lesions, against 7.9% of patients over 2 years old. The majority were aligned skull fractures. Parietal/temporal/occipital scalp haematoma, being under 3 months of age, and the presence of more than 2 vomits on admission, were associated with head CT traumatic lesions (OR 6.39, OR 2.84, OR 2.84, respectively). Clinically important lesions were rare (0.56%) and associated to the PECARN high-risk group (p = 0.005). All patients had no functional sequelae. The most common causes of head trauma were bed falls and ground falls. Baby stroller/egg falls due to no retention system usage were not rare and most bicycle fall victims were not wearing a helmet.

Conclusion: This study reinforces the usefulness of PECARN rule guiding CT scans prescription and patients´ management. Parietal/temporal/occipital scalp haematoma, being under 3 months of age and having more than two vomits are associated traumatic CT findings. Preventable head trauma frequency underlines the need for public policies reinforcement.