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Chronic forehead swelling in West Indian black children is often caused by habitual head banging. These benign lesions highlight the importance of considering self-inflicted trauma and non-accidental injury in pediatric diagnoses.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Dermatology
- Childhood Trauma
- Medical Case Reports
Background:
- Soft tissue swellings on the forehead can present diagnostic challenges in children.
- Distinguishing between self-inflicted injuries and other causes is crucial for appropriate management.
Observation:
- Two cases of West Indian black children presented with chronic, central forehead soft tissue swellings.
- These lesions were characterized by their unique presentation and location.
Findings:
- The forehead lesions were histologically confirmed as benign.
- The swellings were directly attributed to habitual head banging, a form of self-inflicted trauma.
Implications:
- Clinicians should consider habitual head banging as a cause of forehead soft tissue swellings in children.
- The possibility of non-accidental injury must be evaluated in pediatric cases with similar presentations.
Abstract:
Two cases are reported of West Indian black children who presented with chronic soft tissue swellings in the centre of the forehead. These lesions, not previously described, are the result of habitual head banging and their benign nature was confirmed histologically. Self-inflicted trauma should be seriously considered in the diagnosis of similar lesions and, in children particularly, the possibility of non-accidental injury should not be overlooked.