Factors predictive for computed tomography use and abnormality in paediatric head injuries in Australia and New Zealand

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: To investigate patient-level factors predictive for computed tomography of the brain (CTB) use and abnormality in head injured children in Australia and New Zealand. METHODS: Retrospective data from tertiary, urban/suburban and regional/rural EDs including factors predictive for CTB use and abnormality. RESULTS: Of 3072 children at 31 EDs, 212 (6.9%) had a CTB scan, of which 66 (31%) were abnormal. Increasing age, serious mechanisms of injury and decreasing Glasgow Coma Score were predictive for ordering CTB. Decreasing age was predictive for CTB abnormalities. Other factors were not. CONCLUSION: Patient-level drivers of CTB use in children in Australia and New Zealand are consistent with international data.1742-6723Wilson, Catherine L <br />Orcid: 0000-0001-5893-4226 <br />Hearps, Stephen Jc <br />Tavender, Emma J <br />Phillips, Natalie T <br />Lawton, Ben <br />Kinnear, Frances <br />Beattie, Amie <br />Mitenko, Hugh <br />Orcid: 0000-0002-2525-2293 <br />Young, Russell <br />Cole, Joanne <br />Kochar, Amit <br />George, Shane <br />Orcid: 0000-0002-8880-1245 <br />Teo, Stephen Ss <br />Orcid: 0000-0003-1116-1080 <br />Georgeson, Thomas <br />Michael, Adam <br />Mukherjee, Ashes <br />King, Alex <br />Gamage, Lalith <br />Archer, Peter <br />Cassidy, Corey <br />Rao, Arjun <br />Thosar, Deepali <br />Borland, Meredith L <br />Babl, Franz E <br />Orcid: 0000-0002-1107-2187 <br />Journal Article <br />Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't <br />Australia <br />Emerg Med Australas. 2021 Feb;33(1):157-160. doi: 10.1111/1742-6723.13694. Epub 2020 Dec 22. <br />