Traumatic Head Injuries

Abstract

Head injuries are common among children, and they result in a significant number of visits to emergency departments and physicians’ offices each year. In children 15yr old and under, the estimated incidence of traumatic brain injury is 180 per 100,000 children per year, totaling more than 1 million injuries annually in the United States and accounting for more than 10% of all visits to emergency departments (1). A recent study conducted in emergency departments in Canada demonstrated that 3% of all sport-related injuries were head injuries (2). The majority of sport-related head injuries occurred in individuals less than 20yr of age. Head injuries represented 2.8% of all sport injuries in children less than 10yr old, 3.7% in 10–14yr olds, and 4.2% in 15–19yr olds (2). Head injuries as a result of sport participation include minor injuries such as contusions, lacerations, and superficial hematomas, as well as more serious injuries, including concussions, skull fractures, and intracranial hemorrhages. Head injuries can occur in both organized sports, such as football, hockey, basketball, and soccer, as well as recreational activities, including biking, skiing, skateboarding, and rollerblading.