Mild head injury in children: Identification, clinical evaluation, neuroimaging, and disposition

Pediatric head injury presents in various degrees of severity. Early intervention in the patient with a severe head injury is the key to preventing secondary central nervous system damage. Patients with a head injury a are easily identified, often by clinical examination alone. However, patients with a mild head injury present a challenge to practitioners, particularly in identification, knowing whats important in the clinical evaluation, deciding whether to use neuroimaging, and knowing where to send the child for observation. Use of the Glasgow Coma Score, primary survey, and identification of historic and clinical features that are suggestive of severe head injury may guide pediatric nurse practitioners in providing appropriate medical care and disposition.