Accidental Head Injuries

More children die from traumatic injuries then nearly all other causes of childhood death combined. Of all types of traumatic injuries, those to the brain are the most likely to result in death or permanent disability. The most common mechanisms of pediatric traumatic brain injury change with age. Children younger than 4 years of age are injured primarily by falls, inflicted injuries, and in motor vehicle crashes. Children 4 to 8 years of age are injured in falls and motor vehicle crashes as well as other transportation related-crashes (bicycles, pedestrians struck by cars, etc.). The leading cause of injury deaths over the age of 14 are motor vehicle crashes, which kill more teens than all other causes combined. Accidental head injuries in children result in a spectrum of traumatic injuries to the scalp, skull, meninges, and brain. Presentation depends on type of injures.