HEAD TRAUMA IN CHILDHOOD

Abstract

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) remains a major contributor to the high rates of death and disabilities. In Brazil, despite the growing number of children and adolescents victims of TBI, few studies exist on the subject. Physical violence (including non abusive head trauma), home acidentes (as falls) and accidents of public roads stand out as the main causes of TBI. The pre hospital and hospital management should be based on established and standardized protocols that must be followed strictly. The CT-scan is the imaging method of choice for the definition and diagnosis of acute injuries resulting from head trauma. The treatment (surgical or non surgical management), will depend on the clinical exam and CT-scan findings. Concerning mortality, can reach very high values in victims of severe TBI, being higher in victims of abusive head trauma.