Abstract
Background
Traumatic brain injury is the most common cause of morbidity and mortality during childhood.
Aim
This study was conducted to describe the primary management and classification of children admitted to the emergency department for head trauma.
Series
All children (0–15 years) with a history of head injury who were admitted to the outpatient emergency department at a single paediatric trauma centre in the Stockholm region during 1 month were included.
Results
There were 242 children (137 girls and 105 boys; mean age 5.3±4.4 years) who fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Based on the Scandinavian Head Injury Classification, 73% were classified as minimal, 17% mild and 2% moderate head injury. This classification seemed to be more accurately reflective than the ICD-10-based classification in the management of the children with head trauma.
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Acknowledgements
We gratefully acknowledge the assistance of Agneta Witalisson, and Birgitta Negussie, in compiling the data and reviewing the charts. For valuable advice during the project, we are obliged to Bo Ericsson, M.D., Bengt Gustavsson, M.D., Anders Boman, M.D., Margaretha Lannge, M.D., Catharina Kumlien R.N. and Hans Forssberg, Ph.D. This study received financial support from CTRF, the Sven Jerring Foundation, Samaritan Foundation and the Foundation of Frimurarorden, Barnhuset.
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Falk, AC., Cederfjäll, C., von Wendt, L. et al. Management and classification of children with head injury. Childs Nerv Syst 21, 430–436 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00381-005-1142-4
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00381-005-1142-4