The identification of key factors predictive of traumatic brain injury in paediatric patients with a minor blunt head injury

Abstract

Introduction: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a major public health concern, and contributes significantly to mortality and morbidity in paediatric patients. Objective: The study is aimed to identify the factors predictive of TBI in paediatric patients with a minor blunt head injury. Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study conducted on 274 paediatric patients with a minor head injury and registered to Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) from the year 2009 to 2013. Patients with a minor blunt head injury aged less than 18 years who underwent computed tomography (CT) of the brain were included, while the patients with penetrating head injuries were excluded from the study. Simple and multiple logistic regression analysis were performed. Results: TBI occurred in 49% of the patients. Headache (adjusted odd ratio (AOR): 2.24; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.24, 4.05, p = 0.008), dizziness (AOR: 3.08, 95% CI: 1.27, 7.51, p = 0.013) and the presence of scalp haematoma (AOR: 2.93, 95% CI: 1.60, 5.34, p < 0.001) were the most important clinical variables for predicting TBI following a minor blunt head injury in paediatric populations. Conclusion: Headache, dizziness and scalp haematoma were identified as important clinical variables that can be used to predict TBI on a CT scan of paediatric minor head injury. The presence of these factors should alert emergency physicians to the need to monitor such children closely.