Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 24, 2026
Assessing Changes in Synaptic Plasticity Using an Awake Closed-Head Injury Model of Mild Traumatic Brain Injury
Published on: January 20, 2023
Urban-rural differences in pediatric traumatic head injuries: A prospective nationwide study
Jonas G Halldorsson1, Kjell M Flekkoy, Kristinn R Gudmundsson
1Psychological Health Services, Landspitali University Hospital, Reykjavik, Iceland. jonasgh@landspitali.is
Insights
Pediatric traumatic head injuries occurred at an annual incidence of 6.41 per 1000 children in Iceland. Boys and young children faced higher risks, with lower incidence rates noted in rural areas.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Traumatology
- Epidemiology
- Public Health
Background:
- Traumatic head injuries (THI) represent a significant public health concern in pediatric populations.
- Understanding the incidence and risk factors for THI is crucial for developing targeted prevention strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To estimate the incidence of recorded traumatic head injuries in children and adolescents aged 0-19 years.
- To analyze variations in THI incidence based on gender, age, injury severity, and geographical location within Iceland.
Main Methods:
- A prospective, nationwide study was conducted in Iceland over a one-year period.
- Data were collected from all healthcare facilities, including hospitals and emergency units.
- The study included 550 children and adolescents diagnosed with traumatic head injuries.
Main Results:
- The overall annual incidence of THI was 6.41 per 1000 children (95% CI 5.9-7.0).
- Minimal head injuries (ICD-9 850) were most common, with an incidence of 4.65 per 1000 at emergency units.
- Younger children and boys exhibited a higher risk of minimal head injuries, while rural areas showed lower recorded incidence.
Conclusions:
- Nationwide data reveal significant disparities in pediatric head injury incidence between urban and rural settings.
- Age remains a critical factor, with younger children experiencing higher rates of certain head injury types.
- Gender differences in head injury risk are evident, with boys being more affected.
Aims:
To estimate differences in the incidence of recorded traumatic head injuries by gender, age, severity, and geographical area.
Methods:
The study was prospective and nationwide. Data were collected from all hospitals, emergency units and healthcare centers in Iceland regarding all Icelandic children and adolescents 0-19 years old consecutively diagnosed with traumatic head injuries (N = 550) during a one-year period.
Results:
Annual incidence of minimal, mild, moderate/severe, and fatal head injuries (ICD-9 850-854) was 6.41 per 1000, with 95% confidence interval (CI) 5.9, 7.0. Annual incidence of minimal head injuries (ICD-9 850) treated at emergency units was 4.65 (CI 4.2, 5.1) per 1000, mild head injuries admitted to hospital (ICD-9 850) was 1.50 (CI 1.3, 1.8) per 1000, and moderate/severe nonfatal injuries (ICD-9 851-854) was 0.21 (CI 0.1, 0.3) per 1000. Death rate was 0.05 (CI 0.0, 0.1) per 1000. Young children were at greater risk of sustaining minimal head injuries than older ones. Boys were at greater risk than girls were. In rural areas, incidence of recorded minimal head injuries was low.
Conclusions:
Use of nationwide estimate of the incidence of pediatric head injury shows important differences between urban and rural areas as well as between different age groups.
More Related Videos
07:01A Pediatric Concussion Model in Mice: Closed Head Injury with Long-Term Disorders (CHILD)
Published on: February 7, 2025
07:02An Investigation of the Effects of Sports-related Concussion in Youth Using Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging and the Head Impact Telemetry System
Published on: January 12, 2011
