Minor head injuries in children

Traumatic head injury continues to be a major problem facing the pediatric specialists despite efforts to reduce its incidence. Aims of our study were assessment of the incidence of hospital admissions of children with minor head injuries, their treatment and outcome. In this prospective study we included 101 patient with head injury. We assessed the hospital admission criteria of children with minor head injuries, their length of stay, symptoms and neurological status, in-hospital imaging and consultations to other medical specialities, together with the outcome of patients on their discharge from the hospital. Of 101 patient 54 (53.46%) were male and 47 (46.53%) female. Average age was 3 years with age range from 5/52 to 12 years. Majority of patients (46.53%) were less than 1 year old. Fall was the most common mechanism of injury (92.07% of all patients). Injuries were witnessed in 51 case (50.49%), unwitnessed in 19 cases (18.81%) and unknown in 31 cases (30.69%). 95 patients did not have associated extracranial injuries, while 5 patients had associated lacerations and one had associated extracranial fracture. Length of stay was from 1 day in 80.19% of all cases to more than 2 days in 6.93%. GCS was recorded on admission and discharge and majority of patients were discharged with GCS of 15. 93% of admissions had no neurological deficit. 79% had 1 or more symptoms including vomiting, sleepiness, LOC and headaches. Over half of patients (55%) had no imaging done. 45 patients (45%) had skull x-ray. CT was performed in 7 (15%) patients and 7 fractures were found on x-ray and CT. 3 patients were admitted to ICU. All injuries were closed and all received conservative treatment. In less than 1 year old group of patients 95% of them were also seen by medical team and social worker. The outcome was good for all patients. We conclude that majority of patients with minor head injury could be supervised and observed at home by a competent care giver. Admitted patients need radiological evaluation, preferably a CT scan.