Management of neonatal head injuries: A retrospective cohort study

Abstract

Aim

The aim of this study is to describe circumstances, management and short-term outcomes of neonatal head trauma, and adherence to the Paediatric Emergency Care Applied Research Network (PECARN) head trauma prediction rule for children under 2 years.

Methods

Multicentre retrospective cohort study of neonates (<29 days) with head trauma across 25 emergency departments (ED) from January 2017 to June 2021.

Results

A total of 492 neonates (median age 17 days, range 0–28 days) with non-trivial head trauma were enrolled. Falls were the most common injury mechanism (375/492, 76.2%). Imaging was performed in 150/492 (30.5%) neonates.

Clinically important traumatic brain injury (ciTBI), defined as death, neurosurgery, prolonged intubation, or extended hospitalisation from injury, occurred in 7/492 (1.4%) cases. Notably, 286/492 (58.1%) neonates were managed by short-term observation (<48 h), and 126/492 (25.6%) were admitted.

Among high-risk neonates per PECARN criteria, 17/21 (80.9%) did not undergo recommended head CT scans but were observed within ED short observation units or underwent alternative imaging, with no ciTBI diagnoses among those discharged without CT.

Conclusion

Severe neonatal head injuries are rare, and most neonatal head injuries have a favourable outcome, making observation a suitable approach, while remaining vigilant for signs of non-accidental injuries.