Head Injury


Head Injury is a common presentation to A+E in all ages. Causes include falls, play/sporting accidents, road traffic accidents and non‐accidental injury. In the UK, trauma is classified as the most common cause of mortality and morbidity in children over 1 year.

However, most head injuries which are caused by low impact mechanisms are not serious. Children do not usually have to attend hospital and will recover within 2 weeks. The presence of red flag symptoms is an indicator of significant trauma or resultant raised intracranial pressure.

All children under 1 year of age, or those who are non-ambulant, should be seen and assessed in hospital following a head injury. In this age group, who are difficult to assess clinically, head injuries are more likely to be significant or caused by non-accidental injury (NAI).


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