Retinal hemorrhages caused by accidental household trauma

Examining diagnostic variability among pediatric subspecialists using case examples of infant head injury

BACKGROUND

Although there is research regarding the diagnosis and timing of abusive head trauma, there remains practice variation among pediatric subspecialists.

OBJECTIVES

To examine diagnostic variability among pediatric subspecialists using case examples of infant head injury. Secondary objectives were timing variability among subspecialists, and diagnostic and timing variability among Child Abuse Pediatricians (CAPs).

PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING

Pediatric subspecialists were recruited from Child Abuse Pediatrics, Hospital Medicine, Emergency Medicine, Critical Care, and Neurosurgery to complete a research instrument. Participants qualified for the study if they evaluated at least 1 case of possible abusive head trauma during their career.

METHODS

This multi-institutional, mixed-methods study used a research instrument with 4 case examples of infant head injury: severe retinal hemorrhages (RH), mass-effect subdural hemorrhage (SDH), SDH membrane formation, and sepsis. The response selected by most CAPs was reference and compared across subspecialties and among CAPs using Chi-square or Fisher's exact tests. A Bonferroni correction (p < 0.01) was used for subspecialty comparisons.

RESULTS

There were 288 participants who completed at least 1 case example. Diagnostic variability was observed in all case examples. Significantly fewer Hospital Medicine (34.9 % vs. 57.9 %, p < 0.01), Emergency Medicine (28.0 % vs. 57.9 %, p < 0.0001), and Neurosurgery (24.0 % vs. 57.9 %, p < 0.01) participants selected the reference response for the mass-effect SDH case example. Timing variability was statistically significant for all case examples (p < 0.01). Significantly fewer CAPs aged 44-64 years selected the reference response for timing (p < 0.01) for the severe RH case example.

CONCLUSIONS

Additional peer review processes and consensus guidelines for challenging issues in abusive head trauma may be beneficial.

The eye in child abuse

Child physical abuse may result in a range of injuries to the globe and surrounding tissues. These injuries have varying degrees of specificity for abuse, and no pattern of injury is unique to abuse. Easily overlooked eye injuries in non-ambulatory infants often portend more severe abuse and require careful evaluation for occult injury when they are unexplained. Retinal hemorrhages are most often a sign of significant trauma and the severity of the hemorrhages generally parallels the severity of neurological trauma. Ophthalmologists contribute important data that more easily distinguish medical disease from trauma, but caution is needed in differentiating accidental from inflicted trauma. This distinction requires careful consideration of the complete clinical data and occasionally on additional law enforcement or child welfare investigation.

The legal challenges to the diagnosis of shaken baby syndrome or how to counter 12 common fake news

BACKGROUND

The shaken baby syndrome (SBS) is a common cause of severe traumatic lesions in infants. Although well established for almost five decades, SBS and its diagnosis are becoming more and more aggressively challenged in courts. These challenges feed on the scientific debate and controversies regarding the pathophysiology and the differential diagnoses, scientific uncertainty being readily exploited by specialized barristers.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

In the present review, we analyze the most common challenges to the concept of SBS and its diagnosis, as well as the scientific evidence available to counter these challenges, the differential diagnoses, and how SBS can be diagnosed with confidence.

RESULTS

We found that the pathophysiology of SBS is well documented, with stereotyped descriptions by perpetrators, in good correlation with experimental studies and computer models. SBS is a well-defined clinico-pathological entity with a characteristic constellation of lesions; with a rigorous evaluation protocol, its diagnosis can be made rapidly and with excellent accuracy beyond a reasonable doubt.

CONCLUSION

It is important that medical experts master an extensive knowledge regarding the pathophysiology of the lesions of SBS, in particular infantile subdural hematomas, as well as other CSF-related conditions. This emphasizes the role that pediatric neurosurgeons should play in the clinical and medicolegal management of these patients.

Traumatic macular retinoschisis in infants and children

PURPOSE

To provide detailed description of pediatric traumatic retinoschisis.

METHODS

The medical records of children with either abusive head trauma and traumatic macular retinoschisis seen at a single center from 1993 to 2006 were reviewed retrospectively. Clinical details were extracted from the record and photographic documentation. Evaluation regarding abuse excluded ophthalmology findings to avoid circular reasoning.

RESULTS

Of 134 patients with suspected abusive head trauma, 31 had retinoschisis. Mean age was 9 months. Of the 31, 22 (71%) offered a history of injury, and 9 (29%) were found unresponsive without history of injury; 6 were reportedly shaken. All patients had seizures, vomiting, and/or altered responsiveness. All had subdural hemorrhage, with cerebral edema in 17 (55%). In 10 (32%), there were findings of blunt force head injuries; in 4 of these there was no impact history. Retinal hemorrhages were present in all cases. Agreement between sidedness of retinoschisis and subdural hemorrhage was poor. Eleven patients had retinal folds, 3 of which had a hemorrhagic edge to the schisis. Nine patients had extracranial manifestations of abuse. Multidisciplinary team adjudications were as follows: of the 31 cases, 18 were suspicious for abuse, 11 were indeterminate, and 2 were possibly accounted for by accidental severe crush injury. Three children died, and 11 suffered neurological sequelae.

CONCLUSIONS

Traumatic retinoschisis in children is highly associated with subdural hemorrhage, neurologic symptoms, and poor outcomes. Even with a conservative approach to opinion formulation, traumatic retinoschisis was associated with likely abuse.

Ophthalmologic Findings in Infants after an Apparent Life-Threatening Event

Purpose

An apparent life-threatening event (ALTE) refers to the sudden occurrence in an infant of a breathing abnormality, color change, or alteration in muscle tone or mental status. The finding of retinal hemorrhage in an infant who has experienced an ALTE strongly suggests the possibility of shaken baby syndrome. Previous ALTE studies have reported the frequency of this specific ocular abnormality but have not reported other ocular findings and their possible diagnostic significance.

Methods

This study reviews ophthalmologic findings from a series of 120 patients with ALTE who underwent eye examinations as part of their inpatient evaluation. Details of the history, physical examination, diagnostic testing, and discharge diagnosis were abstracted from the medical record while the patient was in the hospital.

Results

Ten patients (8.3%) had positive findings, including retinal hemorrhages in four of the six patients with shaken baby syndrome, the only ophthalmologic finding that helped establish the cause of an ALTE.

Conclusions

Since the funduscopic examination can help identify child abuse as the cause of an apparent life-threatening event, ophthalmologists play a critical role in the early evaluation of infants who have experienced such an event.

Controversies in pediatric forensic pathology

Pediatric forensic pathology is an emerging medical subspecialty that spans the area between pediatric and forensic pathology. Advances in both of these fields have increased the sophistication of diagnoses, with overlap of disorders that might present to either the pediatric or forensic pathologist, adding further layers of complexity. Not surprisingly, therefore, there are important ethical and medical controversies in pediatric forensic pathology that merit careful consideration and attention.

Retinal haemorrhages associated with fatal paediatric infections

For many physicians, retinal haemorrhages (RHs) in infants and young children remain highly diagnostic of non-accidental (abusive) head trauma. Because clinicians have applied indirect ophthalmoscopy selectively to cases of suspected child abuse, the association between RH and other conditions such as infection, coagulopathy and accidental trauma has encountered habitual bias, creating the potential for iatrogenic misdiagnosis of child abuse. We present an autopsy case series of four children, aged three years old or younger, in whom RHs were detected by post-mortem monocular indirect ophthalmoscopy after the patients had died from infections. We discuss the laterality, number, type and location of RHs in these cases, and summarize proposed mechanisms of RH formation in fatalities from paediatric infection. We demonstrate that many of the ophthalmological findings that have been considered diagnostic of abusive head trauma can also occur in association with infective processes.

Recent progress and future issues in the management of abusive head trauma

Head trauma is the leading cause of death in child abuse cases and one of the important issues in the care of abused children. Since the Child Abuse Prevention Law was enforced in 2000 in Japan, various measures have been taken to prevent child abuse over the following decade. Accordingly, medical research on abusive head trauma (AHT) has advanced, leading to significant progress in the medical diagnosis of AHT. This progress has been brought about by (1) the widespread establishment of child protection teams (CPTs) at core hospitals, (2) the progress in neuroradiological imaging and ophthalmoscopic technologies, and (3) the introduction of postmortem imaging. However, the pathological condition of patients with AHT, particularly that of the diffuse brain swelling type, still remains poorly understood. As a result, no clear treatment strategies for AHT have been developed and no treatment outcomes have been improved to date. The development of new treatment strategies for AHT and the construction of a comprehensive database that supports clinical studies are required in the future.

A Simple, Effective, and Inexpensive Method for Backlighting Retinal Hemorrhages

Adequate photographic documentation of important autopsy findings, both positive and negative, is vital for serving as a record of the pathologist's examination, as well as for a tool in the courtroom, for consultations, or for educational endeavors. Examination of the eye, especially the retina, is an important part of the investigation of suspicious infant deaths; however, obtaining good photographs can be difficult due to many factors. The method described herein allows for the development of a cost-effective, technically simple, and mobile way to take outstanding photographs of the retina.

History of an abusive head trauma including a lucid interval and a retinal hemorrhage is most likely false

A lucid interval (LI) is the period of time between regaining consciousness after a short period of unconsciousness, resulting from a head injury and deteriorating after the onset of neurologic signs and symptoms caused by that injury. The incentive for this study was the case of a father who left his 14-week-old infant with the nanny in whose custody the infant had collapsed. The nanny denied involvement in the injury, and the father became a suspect. Of 47 abusive head trauma (AHT) cases, 8 were found to have an LI in the past. The history of the cases were thoroughly analyzed and compared with evidence in the literature. An LI is not compatible with an inertial brain injury. Shaking has either an immediate effect or no effect, which means that an LI occurs only in pure impact or blunt injuries. When "shaking lesions" are found including a retinal hemorrhage while the history mentions an LI, the story most likely is false, regardless of whether the perpetrator confesses. The finding of an LI may change the assessment of an AHT case. Lucid interval is a valuable variable in the diagnostic accuracy of an AHT.

The epidemiology and etiology of pediatric ocular trauma

Eighteen million people worldwide have uniocular blindness from traumatic injury. Injuries occur disproportionally commonly in childhood. Every year a quarter of a million children present with serious ocular trauma. For the vast majority the injury is preventable. We review the international literature that identifies high-risk circumstances.

Retinal haemorrhages and related findings in abusive and non-abusive head trauma: a systematic review

AIM

To report the retinal signs that distinguish abusive head trauma (AHT) from non-abusive head trauma (nAHT).

METHODS

A systematic review of literature, 1950-2009, was conducted with standardised critical appraisal. Inclusion criteria were a strict confirmation of the aetiology, children aged <11 years and details of an examination conducted by an ophthalmologist. Post mortem data, organic disease of eye, and inadequate examinations were excluded. A multivariate logistic regression analysis was conducted to determine odds ratios (OR) and probabilities for AHT.

RESULTS

Of the 62 included studies, 13 provided prevalence data (998 children, 504 AHT). Overall, retinal haemorrhages (RH) were found in 78% of AHT vs 5% of nAHT. In a child with head trauma and RH, the OR that this is AHT is 14.7 (95% confidence intervals 6.39, 33.62) and the probability of abuse is 91%. Where recorded, RH were bilateral in 83% of AHT compared with 8.3% in nAHT. RH were numerous in AHT, and few in nAHT located in the posterior pole, with only 10% extending to periphery. True prevalence of additional features, for example, retinal folds, could not be determined.

CONCLUSIONS

Our systematic review confirms that although certain patterns of RH were far commoner in AHT, namely large numbers of RH in both the eyes, present in all layers of the retina, and extension into the periphery, there was no retinal sign that was unique to abusive injury. RH are rare in accidental trauma and, when present, are predominantly unilateral, few in number and in the posterior pole.

The role of prothrombotic factors in the ocular manifestations of abusive and non-abusive head trauma: a feasibility study

OBJECTIVES

Retinal hemorrhage is a cardinal manifestation of abusive head injury. Thrombophilia is relatively common in the general population and in adults can be associated with retinal hemorrhage. The specificity of retinal hemorrhage for abusive head trauma in the presence of prothrombotic factors, in particular following non-abusive head trauma, has not been investigated. Our objective was to determine whether the hypothesis that prothrombotic factors affect specificity of retinal hemorrhage to AHT can be tested. This may have important ramifications both for diagnosis and expert witness testimony.

METHODS

To investigate the feasibility of studying this issue, we conducted a prospective cohort study of children with abusive and non-abusive head trauma. Thrombophilia screening and ophthalmic examinations were performed.

RESULTS

Six of 30 admitted children were fully enrolled. Enrollment obstacles included caregiver stress, animosity towards allegations of abuse, child protection services involvement, and research phlebotomy coordination. Prevalence of thrombophilia was high in children with retinal hemorrhage and in 1 case the question of hemorrhage adjudicated as abuse was considered in light of a history of a fall.

CONCLUSION

We estimate that to answer the critical question of retinal hemorrhage specificity for abuse in the presence of thrombophilia will require 53 centers for a 1 year study or 18 centers for a 3-year study. We identify potential obstacles and interventions.

The "Shaken Baby" syndrome: pathology and mechanisms

The "Shaken Baby" syndrome (SBS) is the subject of intense controversy; the diagnosis has in the past depended on the triad of subdural haemorrhage (SDH), retinal haemorrhage and encephalopathy. While there is no doubt that infants do suffer abusive injury at the hands of their carers and that impact can cause catastrophic intracranial damage, research has repeatedly undermined the hypothesis that shaking per se can cause this triad. The term non-accidental head injury has therefore been widely adopted. This review will focus on the pathology and mechanisms of the three physiologically associated findings which constitute the "triad" and are seen in infants suffering from a wide range of non-traumatic as well as traumatic conditions. "Sub" dural bleeding in fact originates within the deep layers of the dura. The potential sources of SDH include: the bridging veins, small vessels within the dura itself, a granulating haemorrhagic membrane and ruptured intracranial aneurysm. Most neuropathologists do not routinely examine eyes, but the significance of this second arm of the triad in the diagnosis of Shaken Baby syndrome is such that it merits consideration in the context of this review. While retinal haemorrhage can be seen clinically, dural and subarachnoid optic nerve sheath haemorrhage is usually seen exclusively by the pathologist and only rarely described by the neuroradiologist. The term encephalopathy is used loosely in the context of SBS. It may encompass anything from vomiting, irritability, feeding difficulties or floppiness to seizures, apnoea and fulminant brain swelling. The spectrum of brain pathology associated with retinal and subdural bleeding from a variety of causes is described. The most important cerebral pathology is swelling and hypoxic-ischaemic injury. Mechanical shearing injury is rare and contusions, the hallmark of adult traumatic brain damage, are vanishingly rare in infants under 1 year of age. Clefts and haemorrhages in the immediate subcortical white matter have been assumed to be due to trauma but factors specific to this age group offer other explanations. Finally, examples of the most common causes of the triad encountered in clinical diagnostic and forensic practice are briefly annotated.

Imaging of nonaccidental injury and the mimics: issues and controversies in the era of evidence-based medicine

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.

Abusive head trauma

Abusive head trauma is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in infants and young children. These patients will often first present to the emergency department. They may present with dramatic or subtle findings. It is important that pediatric emergency physicians be aware of the possible presentations of abusive head trauma. This article will review the epidemiology, the clinical findings, the diagnosis, the differential diagnosis, and the management of abusive head trauma.

Evaluation and management of retinal hemorrhages in infants with and without abusive head trauma

Extensive intraocular hemorrhage in young infants in the setting of acute brain injury and in the absence of a history of severe accidental trauma or underlying medical cause must be considered to be nonaccidental injury until otherwise proven. In the absence of any obvious explanation, the presence of any retinal hemorrhage should raise the possibility of abusive head trauma in the differential diagnosis and perhaps lead to such testing as skeletal radiography and neuroimaging, consultation with a child abuse specialist, as well as workup for other relevant systemic conditions. Physicians who treat infants and children are mandated to report suspected child abuse to child welfare agencies for investigation, and ophthalmologists who encounter children with ophthalmic manifestations of abuse need to ensure that the proper steps are taken to protect their patients from the potential for further harm. Ascertainment of abusive head trauma is critical to prevent a potentially fatal recurrence.

Yield of retinal examination in suspected physical abuse with normal neuroimaging

OBJECTIVE

In some centers, dedicated ophthalmologic examination is performed for all children who are evaluated for potential physical abuse. Although retinal hemorrhages have been reported in rare cases of abused children with normal neuroimaging results, the utility of ophthalmologic examination in this group is currently unknown. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of retinal hemorrhages in children younger than 2 years who were evaluated for physical abuse and who had no evidence of traumatic brain injury (TBI) on neuroimaging.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We performed retrospective analysis of data obtained from 1676 children younger than 5 years who were evaluated for potential physical abuse as a part of the Using Liver Transaminases to Recognize Abuse research network. We reviewed results of dedicated ophthalmologic examination in all children younger than 2 years with no evidence of TBI on neuroimaging.

RESULTS

Among 282 children who met inclusion criteria, only 2 (0.7% [95% confidence interval: 0.1%-2.5%]) had retinal hemorrhages considered "characteristic" of abuse. Seven other children (2.5% [95% confidence interval: 1.0%-5.1%]) had a nonspecific pattern of retinal hemorrhages. Both children with characteristic retinal hemorrhages in the absence of TBI showed evidence of head or facial injury on physical examination and/or altered mental status.

CONCLUSIONS

In children younger than 2 years being evaluated for physical abuse without radiographic evidence of brain injury, retinal hemorrhages are rare. Dedicated ophthalmologic examination should not be considered mandatory in this population.

Confessed abuse versus witnessed accidents in infants: comparison of clinical, radiological, and ophthalmological data in corroborated cases

BACKGROUND

The diagnosis of inflicted head injury (IHI) or accidental trauma (AT) in infants is based on clinical, radiological, and/or ophthalmological findings such as subdural hematoma (SDH), encephalopathy, retinal hemorrhage (RH), and signs of impact. As a consequence, the diagnostic value of these criteria is difficult to assess because of a circularity bias.

PURPOSE

In order to assess the predictive value of these diagnostic criteria avoiding circularity, we studied prospectively corroborated cases of head injuries in infants, comparing IHI with AT.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We selected 45 cases of confessed IHI and 39 cases of AT having occurred in public places. Patients were systematically evaluated clinically, with computed tomography scanner and ophthalmological evaluation by a trained ophthalmologist. RH was rated as absent, mild, and severe, according to the depth and extent of the RH.

RESULTS

Brain ischemia was found in 26.7% of IHI; the most prominent elements in favor of IHI were SDH, severe RH, and absence of signs of impact; the predictive diagnostic values of these three features were 0.685, 0.961, and 0.830, respectively; however, only severe RH in the absence of ocular impact was specific of IHI. When all three features were combined, the specificity was 100%, but the sensitivity was only 24.4%.

CONCLUSION

Our study confirms the high diagnostic value of RH, SDH, and signs of impact for the differential diagnosis between AT and IHI. The evaluation of head injuries in infants requires a high level of awareness and thorough and systematic examination by a trained multidisciplinary team.

Ocular hemorrhages in neonatal porcine eyes from single, rapid rotational events

PURPOSE

To characterize ocular hemorrhages from single, rapid head rotations in the neonatal pig.

METHODS

Three- to 5-day-old anesthetized piglets (n=51) underwent a single, rapid (117-266 rad/s) head rotation in the sagittal (n=13), coronal (n=7), or axial (n=31) planes. Six hours after injury, the animals were euthanatized and perfusion fixed, and the brain and eyes were harvested for gross and histopathologic examination by masked neuro- and ocular pathologists.

RESULTS

Ocular hemorrhage was found in 73% of animals (51% bilateral). Intraocular hemorrhage was primarily located near the vitreous base (70% of injured animals had ciliary body hemorrhage, and 11% had peripheral retinal hemorrhage). Hemorrhages were also found in the anterior chamber (11%), vitreous (5%), and optic nerve (disc, 8%; nerve sheath, 57%). Rapid axial head rotations resulted in a higher incidence of intraocular hemorrhage than coronal or sagittal head rotations, but the difference did not reach statistical significance (P=0.06). Control eyes had no injuries.

CONCLUSIONS

Optic nerve sheath and ciliary body hemorrhages were common in piglets that experienced a single, rapid head rotation. Retinal hemorrhage was present in a smaller number of animals. Most intraocular hemorrhages were located in regions of strong vitreous attachment, suggesting that this animal model will be useful in investigating the effect of vitreoretinal adhesion on ocular hemorrhage caused by inertial head rotations. Extrapolation of this model to the human infant should not be made until the effect of anatomic differences between the human and pig on the occurrence and patterns of ocular injuries is further investigated.

Infant acute life-threatening event--dysphagic choking versus nonaccidental injury

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.

Odds of abuse associated with retinal hemorrhages in children suspected of child abuse

PURPOSE

To describe the prevalence of retinal hemorrhages in children being evaluated for abusive head trauma and quantify the association between the likelihood of abuse and the presence and severity of retinal hemorrhages.

METHODS

Retrospective cross-sectional study of 110 children aged 15 months or younger who were evaluated for abusive head trauma and received an ophthalmological examination. The child abuse specialist's diagnosis was categorized as definite accident, probable accident, probable abuse, or definite abuse, according to an algorithm that excluded eye findings. Retinal hemorrhage severity was scored on a 12-point scale (6 points per eye) based on type, size, location, and extent. Higher scores indicated greater severity of eye findings.

RESULTS

Seventy-four percent of children were younger than 6 months old. Forty-five percent of cases were definite abuse and 37% were definite accident. The prevalence of retinal hemorrhages was 32%. Across all subjects, the presence of retinal hemorrhage was highly associated with definite or probable abuse versus definite or probable accident (age-adjusted odds ratio 5.4 [95% CI, 2.1-13.6]). The odds ratio in children younger than 6 months (n = 81) was 11.7 (95% CI, 2.9-66.8). Retinal hemorrhage severity was higher in abuse versus accident (p < 0.0001) and correlated positively with abuse (Spearman r = 0.406, p < 0.0001). Scores above 8 (n = 13) were only present in abused children.

CONCLUSIONS

Retinal hemorrhages are highly associated with abusive head trauma, particularly in children younger than 6 months of age. Increasing retinal hemorrhage severity is correlated with increasing likelihood of abuse.

Inflicted traumatic brain injury in infants and young children

This article will discuss the subject of inflicted or abusive head injury in infants and young children. Inflicted neurotrauma is a very common injury and a frequent problem in attempting to distinguish between inflicted and accidental injury. Inflicted head injury occurs usually in the home in the presence of the individual who has inflicted the injury outside the view of unbiased witnesses. Distinguishing between inflicted and accidental injury may be dependent upon the pathological findings and consideration of the circumstances surrounding the injury. The most common finding in an inflicted head injury is the presence of subdural hemorrhage. Subdural hemorrhage may occur in a variety of distributions and appearances. The natural history of subdural bleeding and the anatomy of the "subdural" will be considered. The anatomy of the dura and its attachment to the skull and to the arachnoid determines how subdural bleeding evolves into the cleaved dural border cell layer and as well as how bridging veins are torn and anatomically where bleeding will occur. Different biomechanical mechanisms result in different distributions of subdural blood and these differences will be discussed.

Abusive head trauma in infants and young children: a unique contributor to developmental disabilities

Abusive head trauma in infants and young children is the leading cause of death and disability from child abuse. This article discusses the history, epidemiology, clinical aspects, developmental outcomes, and associated injuries of this unique contributor to developmental disabilities. Prevention of abusive injuries and prevention of child abuse and neglect are also discussed.

Traumatic spinal cord injury: accidental versus nonaccidental injury

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.

Retinal haemorrhages in- head trauma resulting from falls: differential diagnosis with non-accidental trauma in patients younger than 2 years of age

INTRODUCTION

Falls are a common chief complaint among children seeking medical attention in emergency departments and are the leading cause of injuries requiring hospitalisation. Falls are also a frequent excuse to conceal cases of maltreatment in small children. Retinal haemorrhages could be a useful marker for their differential diagnosis.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to determine the prevalence and characteristics of retinal haemorrhages in children with head trauma resulting from a vertical fall.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This was a prospective study of children younger than 2 years of age admitted to the hospital with head trauma from a vertical fall. The circumstances of the falls and injuries were analysed. All children were evaluated by an ophthalmologist for retinal haemorrhage.

RESULTS

One hundred fifty-four patients were included. Eighty-three percent of the falls were from a height equal to or less than 120 cm. The most common mechanism of injury was fall from a stroller followed by rolling off the bed. Sixteen children had evidence of intracranial injuries. Three patients had retinal haemorrhages (prevalence 1.9%; 95%CI, 0.4-5.6%), all unilateral, in association with severe epidural haematoma with a midline shift. The detection of retinal haemorrhages could be related to the presence of intracranial injury but not with the circumstances of the fall.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS

Any cranial injury from a vertical fall that produces severe epidural bleeding can also cause retinal haemorrhages, mainly unilateral. The finding of diffuse and bilateral retinal haemorrhages or their presence in the absence of this type of intracranial haemorrhage must continue to point out another cause different from the fall as origin of the traumatism, being necessary to exclude non-accidental trauma.

Retinal hemorrhages in patients with epidural hematomas

PURPOSE

To present a series of infants found to have sparse retinal hemorrhages associated with isolated epidural hematomas. None of these infants had other intracranial or subdural hemorrhages present.

METHODS

Children less than 3 years of age admitted to an urban children's hospital between January 1998 and December 2002 with radiographic evidence of an isolated epidural hematoma at the time of presentation were eligible for this study.

RESULTS

During the time period of the study, 15 children were admitted with traumatic epidural hematomas. Nine patients had an ophthalmologic examination, of which five had evidence of sparse retinal hemorrhages. All five patients with retinal hemorrhages were less than 8 months of age and all required surgical evacuation of the epidural hematomas. Of the five patients with retinal hemorrhages, four were unilateral, one was bilateral, and in all cases, the retinal hemorrhages were superficial, few in number, and confined to the posterior pole. There were no deep retinal or subretinal hemorrhages present. The institutional child protection team evaluated all five patients with retinal hemorrhages and each case was felt to be consistent with the history provided and no history of shaking was elicited.

CONCLUSIONS

We found sparse retinal hemorrhages in five of nine patients who presented to our hospital with isolated epidural hematomas and who had had an ophthalmologic examination. All nine patients were evaluated by the institutional child protection team, who did not feel that there was sufficient evidence to be suspicious of nonaccidental trauma.

Unilateral hypoxic-ischemic injury in young children from abusive head trauma, lacking craniocervical vascular dissection or cord injury

BACKGROUND

Abusive head trauma (AHT) in young children usually has a severe outcome when associated with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE), which is best characterized by MRI in the acute or subacute phase utilizing diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI). HIE in this setting has been hypothesized to result from stretching of the spinal cord, brainstem, or vasculature.

OBJECTIVE

To provide clinical correlation in patients with unilateral HIE and to postulate a mechanism in the setting of suspected AHT.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

IRB approval was obtained. Over a 5-year period, the medical records and images were reviewed of the 53 children < or = 3 years of age who presented with acute head trauma according to the hospital registry. The children were subselected in order to determine how many suffered either HIE or AHT, and to detect those with unilateral HIE.

RESULTS

In 11 of the 53 children, the etiology of the head trauma was highly suspicious for abuse. In 38 the head trauma was accidental and in 4 the trauma was of unknown etiology and at the time of this report was unresolved legally. Of the 53, 4 suffered HIE confirmed by CT or MRI. In three of these four with HIE the trauma was considered highly suspicious for AHT. Two of these three were the only patients with unilateral HIE, and both (7 months and 14 months of age) presented with early subacute phase HIE seen on DW MRI (range 4-7 days) and are described in detail with clinical correlation. The third child with AHT and HIE had bilateral findings. In the fourth patient the HIE was bilateral and was considered accidental. The work-up for both patients with unilateral HIE included head CT, craniocervical MRI, and craniocervical MR angiography (MRA). In both, there was mostly unilateral, deep white matter restricted diffusion, with subdural hematomas that were small compared to the extent of hypoxic-ischemic insult, and no skull fracture. Craniocervical MRA and axial thin-section fat-saturation images were negative for dissection, brainstem, or cord injury. Legal authorities obtained a confession of inflicted injury in one and a partial confession in the second (which did not fit the extent of injury). Five other children with HIE (based on DWI) were found during this period who had not suffered head trauma; all were bilateral insults.

CONCLUSION

HIE associated with AHT might present with largely unilateral white matter injury on DWI following extensive cortical infarction. We propose that unilateral HIE in a young child might be a sign of AHT and might result from cervical vascular compression, whether from kinking during hyperflexion/hyperextension or from direct strangulation.

Nonaccidental head trauma in infants

BACKGROUND

Nonaccidental head trauma in infants is the leading cause of infant death from injury.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Clinical features that suggest inflicted head trauma include the triad of the so-called shaken baby syndrome, consisting of retinal hemorrhage, subdural, and/or subarachnoid hemorrhage in an infant with little signs of external trauma. Studies have shown that, in general, the average short fall in the home is extremely unlikely to produce either subdural or retinal hemorrhage, although focal injuries such as skull fractures and epidural hemorrhage may be seen. Acceleration/deceleration, especially of the rotational type, is believed to be the most probable mechanism of injury in cases of nonaccidental head trauma. Damage to the cervicomedullary junction and the respiratory centers, with subsequent hypoxia and intracerebral edema, has also been implicated. After the initial trauma and hemorrhage, loss of cerebral autoregulation, breakdown of the blood-brain barrier, and disruption of ionic homeostasis occur, leading to brain edema and cytotoxicity. Cellular damage can involve large volumes of tissue, without respecting vascular territories.

CONCLUSION

Overall, a satisfactory biomechanical model is lacking, and the criminal nature of abusive injury makes it difficult to perform systematic, controlled studies. Unfortunately, outcomes are poor, and the rate of repeated abusive episodes is high. Future research should focus on the development of a satisfactory research model and on prevention strategies.

Physicians' initial forensic impressions of hypothetical cases of pediatric traumatic brain injury

OBJECTIVE

To describe physicians' initial forensic impressions of hypothetical cases of pediatric traumatic brain injury (TBI) and to compare the responses of pathologists and pediatricians.

METHOD

A survey was administered to physicians who attended workshops on pediatric TBI; were members of two national internet list serves; and were members of the Section on Child Abuse and Neglect of the American Academy of Pediatrics (N=522) and the National Association of Medical Examiners (N=815). The survey included 16 hypothetical case scenarios depicting a pediatric TBI. Participants were asked to categorize their initial forensic impressions of each scenario on a seven-point scale from definitive unintentional to definitive inflicted injury.

RESULTS

A total of 570 surveys were completed, including 465 of 1337 surveys (35%) distributed through the regular mail. In 8 of 16 hypothetical cases, a majority of respondents (range, 60-98%) and a majority of the more experienced respondents (range, 59-97%) categorized the hypothetical TBI as either unintentional or inflicted. Pathologists were less likely than the pediatric participants to view these scenarios as inflicted TBI.

CONCLUSION

Certain features of TBI cases result in a majority of clinicians categorizing them as inflicted or intentional. In the absence of a confession of inflicted injury, witnessed or verifiable events, severe injuries without explanation or injuries that can be linked clearly to a perinatal period, clinicians were unable to agree on the etiology of the injury. Our results will be helpful to other researchers so that consistent, validated research definitions are used to classify pediatric TBI for research purposes.

Imaging of the central nervous system in suspected or alleged nonaccidental injury, including the mimics

Because of the widely acknowledged controversy in nonaccidental injury, the radiologist involved in such cases must be thoroughly familiar with the imaging, clinical, surgical, pathological, biomechanical, and forensic literature from all perspectives and with the principles of evidence-based medicine. Children with suspected nonaccidental injury versus accidental injury must not only receive protective evaluation but also require a timely and complete clinical and imaging workup to evaluate pattern of injury and timing issues and to consider the mimics of abuse. All imaging findings must be correlated with clinical findings (including current and past medical record) and with laboratory and pathological findings (eg, surgical, autopsy). The medical and imaging evidence, particularly when there is only central nervous system injury, cannot reliably diagnose intentional injury. Only the child protection investigation may provide the basis for inflicted injury in the context of supportive medical, imaging, biomechanical, or pathological findings.

Findings in older children with abusive head injury: does shaken-child syndrome exist?

Shaken-baby syndrome (SBS) has been hypothesized to occur after shaking by an adult during the first 2 years of life. We wondered whether it is possible to achieve rotational forces sufficient to cause SBS-like injuries in children >2 years of age. The present study describes cases of child abuse in older children who presented with the classic ophthalmologic and intracranial findings of SBS. In this case series, 4 cases of older children (2.5-7 years old; 11.8-22 kg) who died from abusive head injuries and who had diffuse retinal hemorrhages identified antemortem were selected for review. The cases were abstracted from hospital charts, records from autopsies, coroners' and district attorneys' offices, and court transcripts. In all 4 cases the history provided by the primary caregiver did not match the severity of the injuries. Three case subjects presented with patterned bruises. Multilayered retinal hemorrhages and acute subdural hematoma were observed in all 4 cases. At autopsy, diffuse axonal injury was evident in 3 of the 4 cases; all 4 cases had optic nerve sheath hemorrhages. None of the victims had skeletal fractures on radiologic examination or at autopsy. This case series demonstrates that it is possible to observe SBS-like retinal and central nervous system findings in the older and heavier child. Our findings underscore the need for providers to consider intentional shaking as a mechanism of injury in the evaluation of abusive head injury in older children.

Arterial dissection and stroke following child abuse: case report and review of the literature

INTRODUCTION

Arterial dissection and stroke following trauma are seen frequently. Although similar mechanisms occur for trauma and child abuse, no reports of stroke have been observed in the literature.

CASE REPORTS

Two patients successively presented to our institution with acute onset of neurological deficit and stroke. Further evaluation disclosed child abuse as an underlying condition leading to the strokes. Child protection services were contacted immediately after admission of the patients and further measures were taken.

CONCLUSIONS

Recognition of potential cases of child abuse is crucial. Early intervention and cessation of interaction between the aggressor and the child are important measures to be taken in all situations when there is strong evidence of suggestive examination of child abuse.

[Accidental or non-accidental brain injury in infants. Prospective study of 88 cases]

OBJECTIVE

To study the epidemiology of head injury (HI) in infants, the factors favouring the occurrence of a subdural haematoma (SDH), the prevalence of retinal haemorrhages (RH) and the prognostic factors, by comparing the non-accidental (NAHI) and accidental (AHI) head injuries. RH, in particular, are of fundamental value in the diagnosis of NAHI but, in the absence of systematic studies, their sensitivity and specificity for the diagnosis of the NAHI have rarely been assessed.

METHOD

We prospectively collected the clinical, ophthalmologic and radiological data of HI occurring in children under 24 months old, notably by distinguishing essential macrocrania and symptomatic macrocrania of an SDH, by classifying the HI according to its severity.

RESULTS

We observed 88 cases over a period of 22 months. It 28 cases it was NAHI and in the 60 others, AHI. The SDH was often correlated with the presence of retinal haemorrhages and the absence of signs of cranial impact, but not with child abuse or with essential macrocrania. The RH were of great importance in the diagnosis of NAHI; however, non-severe RH was noted in 4 cases of AHI. The neurological prognosis was essentially correlated with the initial clinical severity.

CONCLUSION

Although only representing 33% of cases, child abuse was responsible for 2/3 of the deaths and for the totality of the severe morbidity in our series. The infants exhibiting perinatal problems represented an important group at risk of abuse, which justified their regular medical-social follow-up.

Why do histology on retinal haemorrhages in suspected non-accidental injury?

The detailed documentation of ocular pathology has become an important component in the autopsy investigation of suspected cases of non-accidental injury in infants and young children. Careful histological examination of retinal haemorrhages is of critical importance, but there remains debate about the significance of some findings. This issue has been thrown into sharper relief by recent neuropathological studies questioning the mechanisms of some CNS findings. To discuss the importance of histological findings in the retina and their potential significance and specificity, we have invited contributions from authors in the USA and UK.

Characteristics that distinguish accidental from abusive injury in hospitalized young children with head trauma

OBJECTIVE

To describe the clinical features that distinguish accidental from abusive head injury in hospitalized children <24 months of age.

METHODS

Prospective study of children <24 months of age hospitalized for head injury between August 1, 2000, and October 31, 2002. During hospitalization, children had computed tomographic scans of the brain, serial neurologic examinations, dilated ophthalmoscopic eye examinations, evaluation by a social worker, and, in some cases, a child abuse specialist.

OUTCOME MEASURES

The main outcome measure was the proportion of children in each group with retinal hemorrhages (RHs). Secondary outcome measures were the proportion of children in each group who had vitreous hemorrhage; abnormal mental status on presentation; seizures; scalp hematomas; need for anticonvulsants; and operative procedures such as subdural tap, craniotomy, ventriculostomy, tracheostomy, and gastrostomy.

RESULTS

Eighty-seven children were prospectively enrolled. Fifteen children were classified as having abusive head injury, and 72 were classified as having accidental head injury. Five children, all in the accidental head injury group, were excluded from statistical analysis, because they did not have a dilated ophthalmoscopic examination during their hospitalization. Thus 82 children were included in the statistical analysis. There were no significant differences between the 2 groups with respect to mean age, gender, or ethnicity. RHs were more likely to be seen in children with abusive head injury (60% vs 10%) and were more likely to be bilateral (40% vs 1.5%). Pre-RHs were more likely to be seen in children with abusive head injury (30% vs 0%). Premacular RHs and RHs that extended to the periphery of the retina were also more likely to be seen in children with abusive head injury (20% vs 0% and 27% vs 0%, respectively). Of the 7 children with accidental head injury who had RHs, 6 had unilateral RHs. Children with abusive head injury were more likely to have seizures (53% vs 6%) and an abnormal mental status on initial presentation (53% vs 1%). Children with accidental head injury were more likely to have scalp hematomas (6.7% vs 49%).

CONCLUSIONS

RHs are seen more often in abusive head injury and often are bilateral and involve the preretinal layer. Children with abusive head injury were more likely to have RHs that cover the macula and extend to the periphery of the retina. Unilateral RHs can be seen in children with accidental head injury. Children with abusive head injury were more likely to present with abnormal mental status and seizures, whereas children with accidental head injury were more likely to have scalp hematomas. Such characteristics may be useful to distinguish accidental from abusive head trauma in children <24 months of age.

Inflicted childhood neurotrauma (shaken baby syndrome): ophthalmic findings

Inflicted childhood neurotrauma (shaken baby syndrome) is the term used for violent, nonaccidental, repetitive, unrestrained acceleration-deceleration head and neck movements, with or without blunt head trauma, combined with a unique, age-related biomechanical sensitivity in children typically younger than 3 years. This syndrome is typically characterized by a combination of fractures, intracranial hemorrhages, and intraocular hemorrhages. Retinal hemorrhage is the most common ophthalmic finding, and usually occurs at all levels of the retina. In recent years, increasing pressure has been placed on ophthalmologists to render diagnostic interpretations of the retinal findings in children suspected to be victims, which may have great forensic implications in criminal proceedings. New research has increased our understanding of the pathophysiology of retinal hemorrhages, the importance of specifically characterizing the types, patterns, and extent of these retinal hemorrhages, and the differential diagnosis.