1
|
Shahraki K, Suh DW. An Update to Biomechanical and Biochemical Principles of Retinal Injury in Child Abuse. CHILDREN (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2024; 11:586. [PMID: 38790581 PMCID: PMC11119297 DOI: 10.3390/children11050586] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2024] [Revised: 05/10/2024] [Accepted: 05/11/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024]
Abstract
Abusive head trauma (AHT) is an extreme form of physical child abuse, a subset of which is shaken baby syndrome (SBS). While traumatic injury in children is most readily observed as marks of contusion on the body, AHT/SBS may result in internal injuries that can put the life of the child in danger. One pivotal sign associated with AHT/SBS that cannot be spotted with the naked eye is retinal injury (RI), an early sign of which is retinal hemorrhage (RH) in cases with rupture of the retinal vasculature. If not addressed, RI can lead to irreversible outcomes, such as visual loss. It is widely assumed that the major cause of RI is acceleration-deceleration forces that are repeatedly imposed on the patient during abusive shaking. Still, due to the controversial nature of this type of injury, few investigations have ever sought to delve into its biomechanical and/or biochemical features using realistic models. As such, our knowledge regarding AHT-/SBS-induced RI is significantly lacking. In this mini-review, we aim to provide an up-to-date account of the traumatology of AHT-/SBS-induced RI, as well as its biomechanical and biochemical features, while focusing on some of the experimental models that have been developed in recent years for studying retinal hemorrhage in the context of AHT/SBS.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Donny W. Suh
- Department of Ophthalmology, Gavin Herbert Eye Institute, University of California Irvine School of Medicine, Irvine, CA 92697, USA;
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Lin K, Khan SS, Truong T, Parsikia A, Mbekeani JN. Characteristics and associations of ocular and non-ocular manifestations of shaken baby syndrome. Childs Nerv Syst 2024:10.1007/s00381-024-06441-5. [PMID: 38709256 DOI: 10.1007/s00381-024-06441-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2023] [Accepted: 04/27/2024] [Indexed: 05/07/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Shaken baby syndrome (SBS), a subset of abusive head trauma, results from non-accidental, violent head shaking. Most survivors suffer permanent neurological sequelae. Accurate diagnosis is imperative and remains challenging. The purpose of this study is to describe ocular injuries and associated neurotrauma in suspected SBS. METHODS We retrospectively surveyed the National Trauma Data Bank 2008-2014 for patients ≤ 3 years old admitted for suspected SBS. Statistical analysis was performed with SPSS software. Significance was set at p < 0.05. RESULTS Three hundred forty-seven (13.9%) of 2495 patients who were ≤ 3 years old were admitted with abusive head trauma and ocular injuries which resulted from suspected SBS. Most were < 1 year old (87.9%) and male (54.2%). Common eye injuries were retinal hemorrhages (30.5%), eye/adnexa contusion (14.7%), and retinal edema (10.7%). Common neurotrauma were subdural (75.5%), subarachnoid (23.9%), and intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) (10.4%). Mean (SD) Injury Severity Score was severe, 20.2 (8.2), and Glasgow Coma Score was moderate, 9.2 (12.8). The mortality rate was 16.7%. Retinal hemorrhages were not significantly associated with one type of neurotrauma over others. Ocular/adnexa contusion (OR 4.06; p < 0.001) and commotio retinae/Berlin's edema (OR 5.27; p < 0.001) had the greatest association with ICH than other neurotrauma. Optic neuropathy (OR 21.33; p < 0.001) and ICH (OR 3.34; p < 0.001) had the highest associated with mortality. CONCLUSIONS Our study supports previous studies showing that retinal and subdural hemorrhages were the most common ocular injury and neurotrauma in SBS, respectively. However, we did not find a significant propensity for their concurrence. Commotio retinae/Berlin's edema was significantly associated with both intracerebral and subdural hemorrhages.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kira Lin
- Medical School Program, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Sabine S Khan
- Department of Surgery (Ophthalmology), Jacobi Medical Center,1400, 1400 Pelham Parkway, Bronx, NY, 10461, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Timothy Truong
- Department of Ophthalmology, California Pacific Medical Center, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Afshin Parsikia
- Department of Research Services, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Joyce N Mbekeani
- Department of Surgery (Ophthalmology), Jacobi Medical Center,1400, 1400 Pelham Parkway, Bronx, NY, 10461, USA.
- Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Hairr M, Tumin D, Greene E, Ledoux M, Longshore S. Facility Size and Risk Factors for Mortality in Pediatric Trauma. Am Surg 2023; 89:4508-4520. [PMID: 35977917 DOI: 10.1177/00031348221121555] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pediatric trauma outcomes can vary across facilities, yet evidence on the relationship between facility bed size and pediatric trauma outcomes has been mixed. We aimed to identify how facility bed size might modify the impact of patient-level risk factors on mortality in pediatric trauma. We hypothesized that patient-level risk factors would have a stronger association with mortality at smaller trauma centers, and a weaker association with mortality at larger centers. METHODS We used deidentified data obtained from the 2017-2018 Trauma Quality Programs registry, including patients ages 0-18 years of age who were admitted to the hospital. The primary outcome was in-hospital mortality. Facility bed size was dichotomized as large (>600 beds) vs small/medium (≤600 beds). Sensitivity analyses used 200 and 400 beds as alternative cutoffs. Interaction between facility bed size and patient characteristics was assessed using unadjusted logistic regression, with statistically significant interactions entered in a final, fully adjusted model. RESULTS The analysis included 171 810 patients (mean age 10 ± 5 years; 65%/35% male/female), including 28% treated in a large hospital and 1.2% who died during the hospitalization. Controlling for trauma center level (or subsetting to pediatric trauma centers only), larger bed size did not reduce mortality risk associated with patient characteristics such as injury mechanism, injury severity, or patient demographics. CONCLUSIONS Contrary to our hypothesis, greater facility bed size was not associated with reduced mortality risk associated with patient characteristics. Future studies are needed to identify hospital practices or characteristics that can attenuate the excess risk of known patient-level risk factors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marsha Hairr
- Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, USA
| | - Dmitry Tumin
- Department of Pediatrics, Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, USA
| | | | - Matthew Ledoux
- Department of Pediatrics, Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, USA
| | - Shannon Longshore
- Department of Surgery, Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, USA
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Weiss R, He CH, Khan S, Parsikia A, Mbekeani JN. Ocular Injuries in Pediatric Patients Admitted With Abusive Head Trauma. Pediatr Neurol 2022; 127:11-18. [PMID: 34922138 DOI: 10.1016/j.pediatrneurol.2021.11.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2021] [Revised: 11/03/2021] [Accepted: 11/06/2021] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pediatric abusive head trauma (AHT) refers to head injury from intentional blunt force or violent shaking in children aged five years or less. We sought to evaluate the epidemiology of ocular injuries in AHT. METHODS This retrospective analysis of the National Trauma Data Bank (2008 to 2014) identified children aged five years or less with AHT and ocular injuries using ICD-9-CM codes. Demographic data, types of ocular and nonocular/head injuries, geographic location, length of hospital admission, injury severity, and Glasgow Coma scores were tabulated and analyzed. RESULTS A total of 10,545 children were admitted with AHT, and 2550 (24.2%) had associated ocular injuries; 58.7% were female. The mean age was 0.5 (±1.0) years. Most (85.7%) were aged one year or less. Common ocular injuries included contusion of eye/adnexa (73.7%) and retinal edema (59.3%), and common head injuries were subdural hemorrhage (SDH) (72.8%) and subarachnoid hemorrhage (22.9%). Retinal hemorrhages occurred in 5.3%. About 42.8% of children had injury severity scores greater than 24 (very severe), and the mortality rate was 19.2%. Children aged one year or less had the greatest odds of retinal hemorrhages (odds ratio [OR] = 2.44; P = 0.008) and SDH (OR = 1.55; P < 0.001), and the two- to three-year-old group had the greatest odds of contusions (OR = 1.68; P = 0.001), intracerebral hemorrhages (OR = 1.55; P = 0.002), and mortality (OR = 1.78; P < 0.001). For all ages, SDH occurred most frequently with retinal edema compared with other ocular injuries (OR = 2.25; P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE Ocular injuries varied with age and were variably associated with nonocular injury. The youngest group was most frequently affected; however, the two- to three-year-old group was most likely to succumb to injuries.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca Weiss
- Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, New York; Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York
| | | | - Sabine Khan
- Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, New York; Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York
| | - Afshin Parsikia
- Department of Surgery (Trauma), Jacobi Medical Center, Bronx, New York; Research Services, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Joyce N Mbekeani
- Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York; Department of Surgery (Ophthalmology), Jacobi Medical Center, Bronx, New York.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Feld K, Ricken T, Feld D, Helmus J, Hahnemann M, Schenkl S, Muggenthaler H, Pfeiffer H, Banaschak S, Karger B, Wittschieber D. Fractures and skin lesions in pediatric abusive head trauma: a forensic multi-center study. Int J Legal Med 2021; 136:591-601. [PMID: 34862583 PMCID: PMC8847172 DOI: 10.1007/s00414-021-02751-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2021] [Accepted: 11/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Abusive head trauma (AHT) and its most common variant, the shaken baby syndrome (SBS), are predominantly characterized by central nervous system-associated lesions. Relatively little data are available on the value of skeletal and skin injuries for the diagnosis of SBS or AHT. Thus, the present study retrospectively investigated 72 cases of living children diagnosed with the explicit diagnosis of SBS during medico-legal examinations at three German university institutes of legal medicine. The risk of circular reasoning was reduced by the presence of 15 cases with confession by perpetrators. Accordingly, the comparison with the 57 non-confession cases yielded no significant differences. Skeletal survey by conventional projection radiography, often incomplete, was found to be performed in 78% of the cases only. Fractures were found in 32% of the cases. The skull (43%) and ribs (48%) were affected most frequently; only 8% of the cases showed classic metaphyseal lesions. In 48% of the cases, healing fractures were present. Skin lesions (hematomas and abrasions) were found in 53% of the cases with the face (76%), scalp (26%), and trunk (50%) being the major sites. In 48% of the cases, healing skin lesions were observed. Nearly 80% of the cases with fractures also showed skin lesions. The data prove that SBS is frequently accompanied by other forms of physical abuse. Therefore, skeletal survey is indispensable and should always be done completely and according to existing imaging guidelines if child abuse is suspected.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Katharina Feld
- Institute of Legal Medicine, University Hospital Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Tim Ricken
- Institute of Legal Medicine, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Dustin Feld
- adiutaByte GmbH, Business Campus, Sankt Augustin, Germany
| | - Janine Helmus
- Institute of Legal Medicine, University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
| | | | - Sebastian Schenkl
- Institute of Legal Medicine, Jena University Hospital, Friedrich Schiller University, Am Klinikum 1, 07747, Jena, Germany
| | - Holger Muggenthaler
- Institute of Legal Medicine, Jena University Hospital, Friedrich Schiller University, Am Klinikum 1, 07747, Jena, Germany
| | - Heidi Pfeiffer
- Institute of Legal Medicine, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Sibylle Banaschak
- Institute of Legal Medicine, University Hospital Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Bernd Karger
- Institute of Legal Medicine, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Daniel Wittschieber
- Institute of Legal Medicine, Jena University Hospital, Friedrich Schiller University, Am Klinikum 1, 07747, Jena, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Casar Berazaluce AM, Moody S, Jenkins T, Farooqui Z, Shebesta K, Kotagal M, Falcone RA. Catching the red eye: A retrospective review of factors associated with retinal hemorrhage in child physical abuse. J Pediatr Surg 2021; 56:1009-1012. [PMID: 32888720 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpedsurg.2020.07.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2020] [Revised: 06/22/2020] [Accepted: 07/18/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND/PURPOSE Accurate identification of child physical abuse is crucial during the evaluation of injured children. Retinal hemorrhages (RH) are used for diagnosis, but clear criteria for screening with direct fundoscopic exam are lacking. We sought to identify key factors associated with RH to guide evaluations. METHODS Electronic medical records for patients <1 year of age presenting to a Level I Pediatric Trauma Center with unwitnessed head injury from January 2015 to December 2018 were retrospectively reviewed. Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with RH. RESULTS Two hundred and seventy-six patients were included; 63% underwent direct fundoscopic examination, of which 23% were positive and 77% were negative for RH. Unscreened patients tended to be older and have isolated skull fractures. Multivariable regression analysis revealed that abnormal GCS and subdural hemorrhage were positively associated with a diagnosis of retinal hemorrhage, while isolated skull fracture was negatively associated. CONCLUSIONS Children under 1 year of age with subdural hemorrhage have a greater risk of associated RH and should undergo routine screening with direct fundoscopic examination. Conversely, those with isolated skull fractures may not require an ophthalmology consultation. Standardized screening protocols may help reduce the risk of missing child physical abuse. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE III (Diagnostic Test).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alejandra M Casar Berazaluce
- Division of Pediatric General and Thoracic Surgery, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Suzanne Moody
- Division of Pediatric General and Thoracic Surgery, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Todd Jenkins
- Division of Pediatric General and Thoracic Surgery, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Zishaan Farooqui
- Division of Pediatric General and Thoracic Surgery, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Kaaren Shebesta
- Division of Pediatric General and Thoracic Surgery, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Meeta Kotagal
- Division of Pediatric General and Thoracic Surgery, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Richard A Falcone
- Division of Pediatric General and Thoracic Surgery, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Theodorou CM, Nuño M, Yamashiro KJ, Brown EG. Increased mortality in very young children with traumatic brain injury due to abuse: A nationwide analysis of 10,965 patients. J Pediatr Surg 2021; 56:1174-1179. [PMID: 33752910 PMCID: PMC8131228 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpedsurg.2021.02.044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2021] [Accepted: 02/05/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is the leading cause of death and disability in young children; however, the impact of mechanism on outcomes has not been fully evaluated. We hypothesized that children with TBI due to abuse would have a higher mortality than children with accidental TBI due to motor vehicle collisions (MVC). METHODS We performed a retrospective review of the National Kids' Inpatient (KID) hospitalizations database of children <2 years old with TBI due to abuse or MVC (2000-2016). The primary outcome was mortality. Secondary outcomes were length of stay (LOS) and hospital charges. We investigated predictors of mortality with multivariable regression. RESULTS Of 10,965 children with TBI, 65.2% were due to abuse. Overall mortality was 9.8% (n = 1074). Abused children had longer LOS (5.7 vs 1.6 days, p < 0.0001) and higher hospital charges ($34,314 vs $19,360, p < 0.0001) than children with TBI due to MVC. The odds of mortality were 42% higher in children with abusive head trauma (OR 1.42, 95% CI 1.10-1.83, p = 0.007) compared to MVCs after adjusting for age, race, sex, neurosurgical intervention, injury severity, and insurance. CONCLUSION Children with abusive traumatic brain injury have increased risk of mortality, longer LOS, and higher hospital charges compared to children with TBI due to motor vehicle collision after adjusting for relevant confounders. Resources must be directed at prevention and early identification of abuse.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Christina M Theodorou
- University of California Davis Medical Center, Department of Pediatric General, Thoracic, and Fetal Surgery. Sacramento, CA USA.
| | - Miriam Nuño
- University of California Davis, Department of Public Health Sciences, Division of Biostatistics. Sacramento, USA
| | - Kaeli J Yamashiro
- University of California Davis Medical Center, Department of Pediatric General, Thoracic, and Fetal Surgery. Sacramento, CA USA
| | - Erin G Brown
- University of California Davis Medical Center, Department of Pediatric General, Thoracic, and Fetal Surgery. Sacramento, CA USA
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Chang YT, Chang HY, Chen LW, Lu TH, Tsai HJ, Chen YW, Chang YC, Feng JY. Incidence and characteristics of paediatric abusive head trauma in Taiwan, 2006-2015: a nationwide population-based study. Inj Prev 2020; 27:356-362. [PMID: 32788223 DOI: 10.1136/injuryprev-2020-043805] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2020] [Revised: 07/13/2020] [Accepted: 07/18/2020] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To examine the incidence rate and characteristics of paediatric abusive head trauma (PAHT) among children under age 5 years in Taiwan. METHODS The International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM) was used to identify broad and narrow definitions of children aged under 5 years with PAHT from 2006 to 2015 in Taiwan using a representative national insurance research database. Medical resource utilisation was also analysed. Incidence rates per 100 000 person-years were calculated and presented with 95% CI. Joinpoint regression analysis was used to detect the changes in trends and calculate the annual percentage change in PAHT incidence over time. RESULTS From 2006 to 2015, 479 (narrow definition) and 538 (broad definition) PAHT cases were identified. Incidence rates of PAHT by narrow and broad definitions among children under 1 year of age (18.7/100 000 and 20.0/100 000) were nearly 10-fold or 20-fold higher than for children aged 1-2 (1.7/100 000 and 2.1/100 000) and 3-5 (0.9/100 000 and 1.2/100 000) years. The PAHT incidence significantly increased since 2012, with trends varying by age and gender. Our results suggest that over 40% of the children with PAHT experienced serious injury and nearly 13% were fatal cases. For 87% (n=57) of fatal cases, this was their first ever hospitalisation. The number of fatal cases among infants was fourfold higher than that of children aged 1-5 years. CONCLUSIONS This study provides a robust national estimate of PAHT and identifies infants as the most vulnerable group for PAHT in Taiwan. Education to enhance healthcare profession's sensitivity and competence for the early identification and diagnosis of PAHT is critical.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yi-Ting Chang
- Department of Nursing, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Hsin-Yi Chang
- Department of Nursing, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Li-Wen Chen
- Department of Pediatrics, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Tsung-Hsueh Lu
- Department of Public Health, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Hui-Ju Tsai
- Institute of Population Health Sciences, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Wen Chen
- Department of Nursing, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan.,Department of Nursing, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Chun Chang
- Department of Nursing, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Jui-Ying Feng
- Department of Nursing, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan .,Department of Nursing, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Deutsch SA. Understanding Abusive Head Trauma: A Primer for the General Pediatrician. Pediatr Ann 2020; 49:e347-e353. [PMID: 32785719 DOI: 10.3928/19382359-20200720-01] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Abusive head trauma (AHT) refers to a well-recognized constellation of injuries caused by the direct application of force to an infant or young child, resulting in trauma to the head, intracranial contents, and/or neck, with potentially devastating health outcomes. Mechanisms of AHT include impulsive injurious acts, such as violent shaking and impact, often due to caregiver frustration or exhaustion. Subdural and retinal hemorrhage, and associated extracranial injury (fractures, abdominal trauma), are common. Suspected victims require laboratory/diagnostic testing and occult injury screening, as well as protective measures by investigative authorities to ensure safety. Medicolegal controversies persist around AHT diagnosis, including alternative hypotheses proffered in court by skeptics despite advances in scientific understanding, biomechanical research, neuroimaging techniques, and perpetrator confessions. Pediatricians play a key role in prevention and reduction of AHT morbidity and mortality through anticipatory guidance and caregiver education about the risks of shaking, normal infant development and behavior, and encouragement of stress reduction strategies. [Pediatr Ann. 2020;49(8):e347-e353.].
Collapse
|
10
|
Jantzie L, El Demerdash N, Newville JC, Robinson S. Time to reconsider extended erythropoietin treatment for infantile traumatic brain injury? Exp Neurol 2019; 318:205-215. [PMID: 31082389 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2019.05.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2019] [Revised: 05/03/2019] [Accepted: 05/08/2019] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Pediatric traumatic brain injury (TBI) remains a leading cause of childhood morbidity and mortality worldwide. Most efforts to reduce the chronic impact of pediatric TBI involve prevention and minimization of secondary injury. Currently, no treatments are used in routine clinical care during the acute and subacute phases to actively repair injury to the developing brain. The endogenous pluripotent cytokine erythropoietin (EPO) holds promise as an emerging neuroreparative agent in perinatal brain injury (PBI). EPO signaling in the central nervous system (CNS) is essential for multiple stages of neurodevelopment, including the genesis, survival and differentiation of multiple lineages of neural cells. Postnatally, EPO signaling decreases markedly as the CNS matures. Importantly, high-dose, extended EPO regimens have shown efficacy in preclinical controlled cortical impact (CCI) models of infant TBI at two different, early ages by independent research groups. Specifically, extended high-dose EPO treatment after infantile CCI prevents long-term cognitive deficits in adult rats. Because of the striking differences in the molecular and cellular responses to both injury and recovery in the developing and mature CNS, and the excellent safety profile of EPO in infants and children, extended courses of EPO are currently in Phase III trials for neonates with PBI. Extended, high-dose EPO may also warrant testing for infants and young children with TBI.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lauren Jantzie
- Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, NM, 87111,United States.; Department of Neurosciences, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, NM, 87111, United States..
| | - Nagat El Demerdash
- Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21287, United States
| | - Jessie C Newville
- Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, NM, 87111,United States.; Department of Neurosciences, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, NM, 87111, United States
| | - Shenandoah Robinson
- Division of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| |
Collapse
|