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Horton D, Burrell T, Moffatt ME, Puls HT, Selvarangan R, Hultman L, Anderst JD. Differences Between Viral Meningitis and Abusive Head Trauma. Pediatrics 2022; 150:188256. [PMID: 35673951 DOI: 10.1542/peds.2021-054544] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To evaluate the hypothesis that viral meningitis may mimic abusive head trauma (AHT) by comparing the history of present illness (HPI) and clinical presentation of young children with proven viral meningitis to those with AHT and those with subdural hemorrhage (SDH) only. We hypothesized that significant differences would exist between viral meningitis and the comparison groups. METHODS We performed a 5-year retrospective case-control study of subjects aged <2 years, comparing those with confirmed viral meningitis (controls) to those with SDH evaluated by the hospital child abuse pediatrics team (cases). Cases were classified as SDH with concomitant suspicious injuries (AHT) and without concomitant suspicious injuries (SDH-only). Groups were compared across demographic (5 measures), HPI (11 measures), and clinical (9 measures) domains. Odds ratios were calculated for measures within each domain. RESULTS Of 550 subjects, there were 397 viral meningitis, 118 AHT, and 35 SDH-only subjects. Viral meningitis differed significantly from AHT subjects on all demographic measures, and from SDH-only subjects on age. Viral meningitis differed significantly from AHT subjects in all HPI measures with odds ratios ranging from 2.7 to 322.5, and from SDH-only subjects in 9 HPI measures with odds ratios ranging from 4.6 to 485.2. In the clinical domain, viral meningitis differed significantly from AHT subjects in all measures, with odds ratios ranging from 2.5 to 74.0, and from SDH-only subjects in 5 measures with odds ratios ranging from 2.9 to 16.8. CONCLUSIONS Viral meningitis is not supported as a mimic of AHT.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Mary E Moffatt
- Divisions of Child Adversity and Resilience.,Emergency Medicine
| | | | - Rangaraj Selvarangan
- Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Children's Mercy Kansas City, University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine, Kansas City, Missouri
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Weiss R, He CH, Khan S, Parsikia A, Mbekeani JN. Ocular Injuries in Pediatric Patients Admitted With Abusive Head Trauma. Pediatr Neurol 2022; 127:11-18. [PMID: 34922138 DOI: 10.1016/j.pediatrneurol.2021.11.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2021] [Revised: 11/03/2021] [Accepted: 11/06/2021] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pediatric abusive head trauma (AHT) refers to head injury from intentional blunt force or violent shaking in children aged five years or less. We sought to evaluate the epidemiology of ocular injuries in AHT. METHODS This retrospective analysis of the National Trauma Data Bank (2008 to 2014) identified children aged five years or less with AHT and ocular injuries using ICD-9-CM codes. Demographic data, types of ocular and nonocular/head injuries, geographic location, length of hospital admission, injury severity, and Glasgow Coma scores were tabulated and analyzed. RESULTS A total of 10,545 children were admitted with AHT, and 2550 (24.2%) had associated ocular injuries; 58.7% were female. The mean age was 0.5 (±1.0) years. Most (85.7%) were aged one year or less. Common ocular injuries included contusion of eye/adnexa (73.7%) and retinal edema (59.3%), and common head injuries were subdural hemorrhage (SDH) (72.8%) and subarachnoid hemorrhage (22.9%). Retinal hemorrhages occurred in 5.3%. About 42.8% of children had injury severity scores greater than 24 (very severe), and the mortality rate was 19.2%. Children aged one year or less had the greatest odds of retinal hemorrhages (odds ratio [OR] = 2.44; P = 0.008) and SDH (OR = 1.55; P < 0.001), and the two- to three-year-old group had the greatest odds of contusions (OR = 1.68; P = 0.001), intracerebral hemorrhages (OR = 1.55; P = 0.002), and mortality (OR = 1.78; P < 0.001). For all ages, SDH occurred most frequently with retinal edema compared with other ocular injuries (OR = 2.25; P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE Ocular injuries varied with age and were variably associated with nonocular injury. The youngest group was most frequently affected; however, the two- to three-year-old group was most likely to succumb to injuries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca Weiss
- Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, New York; Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York
| | | | - Sabine Khan
- Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, New York; Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York
| | - Afshin Parsikia
- Department of Surgery (Trauma), Jacobi Medical Center, Bronx, New York; Research Services, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Joyce N Mbekeani
- Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York; Department of Surgery (Ophthalmology), Jacobi Medical Center, Bronx, New York.
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Abstract
Traumatic brain injury remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality throughout the world, affecting young and old alike. Pathologic data have been developed through observations of human autopsies and developing animal models to investigate mechanisms, although animal models do not represent the polypathology of human brain injury and there are likely to be significant differences in the anatomic basis of injury and cellular responses between species. Traumatic brain injury can be defined pathologically as either focal or diffuse, and can be considered to be either primary, directly related to the force associated with the neurotrauma, or secondary, developing as a downstream consequence of the neurotrauma. While neuropathology has traditionally focused on severe head injury, there is increasing recognition of the long-term consequences of traumatic brain injury, particularly repetitive mild traumatic brain injury, and a possible long-term association with chronic traumatic encephalopathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Colin Smith
- Department of Neuropathology, Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, Edinburgh, United Kingdom.
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Mattheij M, Venstermans C, de Veuster I, Vanderstraete I, Menovsky T, Jorens P, Ceulemans B. Retinal haemorrhages in a university hospital: not always abusive head injury. Acta Neurol Belg 2017; 117:515-522. [PMID: 28160241 DOI: 10.1007/s13760-017-0748-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2016] [Accepted: 01/13/2017] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Retinal haemorrhages (RH) and subdural haematomas (SDH) are frequently seen in abusive head trauma (AHT). The aim of our study is to show that they are suggestive, but not pathognomonic for AHT. We performed an observational retrospective study on children, aged 1-18 months old, admitted to the Antwerp University Hospital with RH. History, physical examination, medical course, coagulation and metabolic tests, skeletal survey, head circumference, retinal findings, cerebral imaging, and evaluation reports by social services or civil/criminal courts were collected. Twenty-nine children with RH were included. Twenty three of them were found suspect of AHT. Three children of this group showed intraparenchymal haematomas/infarctions, 5 interhemispheric blood, 6 cerebral oedema, 7 ventricle compression, and 4 papilloedema. Seven of the 16 children with diffusion-weighted MRI images showed diffuse lesions. In 2 of the 6 children not suspect for AHT, an aetiology was found. None of the 4 remaining children showed the above-mentioned abnormalities. Three of these 4 cases showed an accelerated growth of the head circumference months before presentation. The majority of the children in all groups showed 'too numerous to count' (>20) RH (12 of the 23 'suspect' children, and 4 of the 6 'non-suspect' children). Results showed no differences between the groups concerning the location, distribution, or size of the RH. Infants with RH and/or SDH are not necessarily victims of AHT. Cerebral imaging and retinal findings can help differentiate suspect from non-suspect cases. Infants with a large head circumference could be predisposed to RH or SDH.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Mattheij
- Department of Neurology - Paediatric Neurology, Antwerp University Hospital, University of Antwerp, Wijlrijkstraat 10, 2610, Edegem, Belgium.
| | - C Venstermans
- Department of Radiology, Antwerp University Hospital, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - I de Veuster
- Department of Ophthalmology, Antwerp University Hospital, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - I Vanderstraete
- Vertrouwenscentrum Kindermishandeling (Confidentiality center), Prof. Claraplein 1, 2018, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - T Menovsky
- Department of Neurosurgery, Antwerp University Hospital, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - P Jorens
- Intensive Care Unit, Antwerp University Hospital, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - B Ceulemans
- Department of Neurology - Paediatric Neurology, Antwerp University Hospital, University of Antwerp, Wijlrijkstraat 10, 2610, Edegem, Belgium
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Child Abuse and Neglect. Fam Med 2017. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-04414-9_27] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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Graff A. Child Abuse and Neglect. Fam Med 2015. [DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-0779-3_27-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Abstract
UNLABELLED Abusive Head Trauma (AHT) refers to the combination of findings formerly described as shaken baby syndrome. Although these findings can be caused by shaking, it has become clear that in many cases there may have been impact trauma as well. Therefore a less specific term has been adopted by the American Academy of Pediatrics. AHT is a relatively common cause of childhood neurotrauma with an estimated incidence of 14-40 cases per 100,000 children under the age of 1 year. About 15-23% of these children die within hours or days after the incident. Studies among AHT survivors demonstrate that approximately one-third of the children are severely disabled, one-third of them are moderately disabled and one-third have no or only mild symptoms. Other publications suggest that neurological problems can occur after a symptom-free interval and that half of these children have IQs below the 10th percentile. Clinical findings are depending on the definitions used, but AHT should be considered in all children with neurological signs and symptoms especially if no or only mild trauma is described. Subdural haematomas are the most reported finding. The only feature that has been identified discriminating AHT from accidental injury is apnoea. CONCLUSION AHT should be approached with a structured approach, as in any other (potentially lethal) disease. The clinician can only establish this diagnosis if he/she has knowledge of the signs and symptoms of AHT, risk factors, the differential diagnosis and which additional investigations to perform, the more so since parents seldom will describe the true state of affairs spontaneously.
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Barnes PD. Imaging of nonaccidental injury and the mimics: issues and controversies in the era of evidence-based medicine. Radiol Clin North Am 2011; 49:205-29. [PMID: 21111136 DOI: 10.1016/j.rcl.2010.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Because of the controversy involving the determination of child abuse, or nonaccidental injury (NAI), radiologists must be familiar with the issues, literature, and principles of evidence-based medicine to understand the role of imaging. Children with suspected NAI must receive protective evaluation along with a timely and complete clinical and imaging work-up. Imaging findings cannot stand alone and must be correlated with clinical findings, laboratory testing, and pathologic and forensic examinations. Only the child protection investigation may provide the basis for inflicted injury in the context of supportive clinical, imaging, biomechanical, or pathology findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick D Barnes
- Department of Radiology, Lucile Packard Children's Hospital, Stanford University Medical Center, 725 Welch Road, Palo Alto, CA 94304, USA.
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Lloyd J, Willey EN, Galaznik JG, Lee WE, Luttner SE. Biomechanical Evaluation of Head Kinematics During Infant Shaking Versus Pediatric Activities of Daily Living. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2011. [DOI: 10.4303/jfb/f110601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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Barnes PD, Galaznik J, Gardner H, Shuman M. Infant acute life-threatening event--dysphagic choking versus nonaccidental injury. Semin Pediatr Neurol 2010; 17:7-11. [PMID: 20434683 DOI: 10.1016/j.spen.2010.01.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
A 4-month-old male infant presented to the emergency room with a history of choking while bottle feeding at home, and was found by emergency medical services (EMS) to be apneic and pulseless. He subsequently developed disseminated intravascular coagulopathy and died. Computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed subdural hemorrhages (SDHs), subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), and retinal hemorrhages (RHs), along with findings of hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE). The caretaker account appeared to be inconsistent with the clinical and imaging features, and a diagnosis of nonaccidental injury with "shaken baby syndrome" was made. The autopsy revealed diffuse anoxic central nervous system (CNS) changes with marked edema, SAH, and SDH, but no evidence of "CNS trauma." Although NAI could not be ruled out, the autopsy findings provided further evidence that the child's injury could result from a dysphagic choking type of acute life threatening event (ALTE) as consistently described by the caretaker.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick D Barnes
- Department of Radiology, Lucile Salter Packard Children's Hospital at Stanford, Palo Alto, CA 94304, USA.
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Tang PH, Lim CCT. Imaging of accidental paediatric head trauma. Pediatr Radiol 2009; 39:438-46. [PMID: 19125244 DOI: 10.1007/s00247-008-1083-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2008] [Accepted: 09/21/2008] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Head trauma is the most common form of injury sustained in serious childhood trauma and remains one of the top three causes of death despite improved road planning and safety laws. CT remains the first-line investigation for paediatric head trauma, although MRI may be more sensitive at picking up the full extent of injuries and may be useful for prognosis. Follow-up imaging should be tailored to answer the specific clinical question and to look for possible complications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Phua Hwee Tang
- Department of Diagnostic Imaging, KK Women's and Children's Hospital, Singapore, Singapore.
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW The authors explore the literature published in the past year addressing child maltreatment issues, including sexual abuse, physical child abuse, inflicted head trauma, and child abuse prevention. RECENT FINDINGS The body of knowledge about child abuse and its mimics continues to expand. Evident in this year's literature is the challenge which the diagnosis of child abuse creates for clinicians. Although further strides are being made toward universal education of providers, it is clear that there is still a reluctance to report abuse to child welfare agencies. The legal repercussions of diagnosing abuse can be extensive, and there has been a proliferation of medical defense experts who disagree with the commonly accepted tenets of abusive injury and who are vocal in the literature. SUMMARY It remains the responsibility of pediatric providers to consider child maltreatment in the differential diagnosis of any unexplained injury or medical problem. Several studies document the high rate of spanking, slapping or shaking children, and primary care clinicians may be the first professionals in a position to begin the evaluation for possible child maltreatment. Despite the natural hesitancy to diagnose abuse, clinicians have an ethical and moral obligation to address this issue both in their practice and in their communities. The short-term and long-term costs to individuals who experience family violence have been well demonstrated and include not only emotional repercussions, but also chronic health conditions, which result in significant cost to society.
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Barnes PD, Krasnokutsky MV, Monson KL, Ophoven J. Traumatic spinal cord injury: accidental versus nonaccidental injury. Semin Pediatr Neurol 2008; 15:178-84; discussion 185. [PMID: 19073323 DOI: 10.1016/j.spen.2008.10.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
A 21-month-old boy with steroid-dependent asthma presented to the emergency room with Glascow Coma Score (GCS) 3 and retinal hemorrhages. He was found to have subdural and subarachnoid hemorrhage on computed tomography plus findings of hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE). The caretaker history was thought to be inconsistent with the clinical and imaging features, and the patient was diagnosed with nonaccidental injury (NAI) and "shaken baby syndrome." The autopsy revealed a cranial impact site and fatal injury to the cervicomedullary junction. Biomechanical analysis provided further objective support that, although NAI could not be ruled out, the injuries could result from an accidental fall as consistently described by the caretaker.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick D Barnes
- Department of Radiology, Lucile Packard Children's Hospital, Palo Alto, CA 94304, USA.
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