What Findings Signal Abusive Head Trauma in Young Children?

In a meta-analysis of studies that compared findings between hospitalized children aged ≤6 years with abusive head trauma and those with nonabusive head trauma, researchers identified clinical and radiographic characteristics associated with abuse. A total of 19 studies involving nearly 2000 patients were deemed high quality (defined as those in which abuse was confirmed at case conference or court proceedings, admitted by the perpetrator, witnessed, or confirmed by stated criteria including multidisciplinary assessment).

The mean age range was significantly lower among children with abusive head trauma than among those with nonabusive head trauma (2 to 22 months vs. 6 to 43 months). Variables associated with abusive head trauma included no …