PEDIATRIC HEAD TRAUMA

Course overview

BLUNT TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY (TBI) IS A DISRUPTION IN THE NORMAL FUNCTION OF THE BRAIN CAUSED BY A MECHANICAL IMPACT TO THE HEAD. TBI RANGES FROM MILD TO SEVERE AND/OR FATAL. TBI CAN BE CONCEPTUALIZED AS A PRIMARY EVENT OCCURRING AT THE MOMENT OF IMPACT, FOLLOWED BY SECONDARY DAMAGE DUE TO EDEMA AND ELEVATED INTRACRANIAL PRESSURE. THIS ACTIVITY REVIEWS THE PATHOPHYSIOLOGY OF PEDIATRIC HEAD TRAUMA AND STRESSES THE IMPORTANCE OF THE INTERPROFESSIONAL TEAM IN ITS MANAGEMENT.