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Book

Pediatric Skull Fractures

Dharshana Krishnaprasadh  1 , Torin Karsonovich  2
In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan.
.
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Book

Pediatric Skull Fractures

Dharshana Krishnaprasadh et al.
Free Books & Documents

Excerpt

Head injury is common in the pediatric population and is a major cause of morbidity and mortality. The annual incidence is estimated at 250 per 100,000, accounting for approximately 600,000 pediatric emergency department visits each year. Pediatric fractures differ from those in adults because of the capacity of children's bones to remodel, although the craniofacial skeleton and brain remain in active development. Infants have a larger head-to-body surface area ratio, decreasing from 18% in infancy to 9% in adulthood. The pediatric skull is thinner and more pliable, offering less protection to the brain and predisposing children to head injuries. About 10% to 30% of pediatric head injuries result in skull fractures, the presence of which increases the risk of intracranial injury.

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Conflict of interest statement

Disclosure: Dharshana Krishnaprasadh declares no relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies.

Disclosure: Torin Karsonovich declares no relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies.

References

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