Subdural hematomas in children under 2 years: insights from a tertiary hospital in Saudi Arabia.

Abstract

Head trauma, in general, can lead to several life-threatening complications including subdural hematoma (SDH). Trauma is the most common cause in children less than 2 years of age, which can be non-inflicted or inflicted. To differentiate between inflicted and non-inflicted SDH in children <2 years of age, a retrospective study of children with SDH managed at King Abdullah Specialized Children Hospital in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from 2014 to 2019 was performed. Data were collected from the electronic hospital system and the Suspected Child Abuse and Neglect team records. Sixty-three patients aged <2 years with SDH were included. Of these, 17 (27%) were due to abusive head trauma and 46 (73%) were non-inflicted; 23 (50%) fall, 13 (28%) medical reasons, and six (9.5%) motor vehicle accidents. Most were male (43; 68.3%), and 20 (32%) were female. Children with inflicted injuries were predominantly males (p = 0.018). Children with inflicted SDH have severe symptoms and worse outcomes compared to other causes of SDH.