Head injuries in children: what nurses need to know

A high number of children under 15 present to emergency departments with a head injury, here is advice on treatment, safeguarding, support and rehabilitation

• Factors when assessing severity of a head injury include if a child has been unconscious or dazed, distance fallen and velocity at impact
• Common causes include injuries in contact sports, falls from a height or downstairs, and traffic accidents
• Complications can include brain swelling or seizures and assessment may include X-ray, CT scans, MRI and intracranial pressure monitoring

Head injury is the most common cause of death and disability in people aged one to 40 in the UK, and