The medical cost of abusive head trauma in the United States

Systematic Review of Per Person Violence Costs

INTRODUCTION

Data on the long-term and comprehensive cost of violence are essential for informed decision making regarding the future benefits of resources directed toward violence prevention. This review aimed to summarize original per-person estimates of the attributable cost of interpersonal violence to support public health economic research and decision making.

METHODS

In 2023, English-language peer-reviewed journal articles published in 2000-2022 with a focus on high-income countries reporting original per-person average cost of violence estimates were identified using index terms in multiple databases. Study contents, including violence type (e.g., adverse childhood experiences), timeline and payer cost perspective (e.g., hospitalization event-only healthcare payer cost), and associated per-person cost estimates, were summarized. Costs were in 2022 U.S. dollars.

RESULTS

Per-person cost estimates related to adverse childhood experiences, community violence, sexual violence, intimate partner violence, homicide, firearm violence, youth violence, workplace violence, and bullying from 73 studies (majority focusing on the U.S.) were summarized. For example, among 23 studies with a focus on adverse childhood experiences, monetary estimates ranged from $390 for adverse childhood experience-related annual healthcare out-of-pocket costs per U.S. adult with ≥3 adverse childhood experiences to $20.2 million for the lifetime societal economic burden of a U.S. child maltreatment fatality.

CONCLUSIONS

This review provides a descriptive summary of available per-person cost of violence estimates. Results can help public health professionals to describe the economic burden of violence, identify the best available estimate for a particular public health question, and address data gaps. Ultimately, understanding the long-term and comprehensive cost of violence is necessary to anticipate the economic benefits of prevention.

The Measurement of Intimate Partner Violence Using International Classification of Diseases Diagnostic Codes: A Systematic Review

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is challenging to measure yet systematic surveillance of IPV is critical to informing public health prevention and response efforts. Administrative medical data provide opportunities for such surveillance, and often use the International Classification of Diseases (ICD). The primary purpose of this systematic review was to document which ICD codes have been used in empirical literature to identify IPV, understand the justification used to select specific codes to develop IPV case definitions, and identify the data sources and types of research questions addressed by the existing literature. We searched 11 databases and of the initial 2182 results, 21 empirical studies from 2000 to 2020 met the study inclusion criteria including using ICD codes to measure IPV. The majority of these studies (90.5%) used either national samples of data or population-based administrative data from emergency departments (52.4%) or inpatient hospitalizations (38.1%). We found wide variation of ICD diagnostic codes to measure IPV and categorized the sets of codes used based on the number of codes. The most commonly used ICD-9 codes were E967.3, 995.81, 995.80, 995.85 and the most common ICD-10 codes were T74.1 and Z63.0. Few studies validated the ICD codes used to measure IPV. Most included studies (81.0%) answered epidemiological research questions. The current study provides suggestions for future research, including justifying the selection of ICD codes and providing a range of estimates based on narrow and broad sets of codes. Implications for policy and practice, including enhanced training for healthcare professionals in documenting IPV, are discussed.

Cost of Pediatric Trauma: A Comparison of Non-Accidental and Accidental Trauma in Pediatric Patients

BACKGROUND

Nonaccidental trauma (NAT) affects >100,000 children in the United States every year and is associated with significant mortality and morbidity. Little is known about the financial burden of NAT, particularly in comparison to accidental trauma (AT). We sought to compare hospital charges and outcomes between children presenting with NAT and AT.

METHODS

Pediatric (<16 y) trauma hospitalizations from 2006 to 2018 were identified using the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP) National Inpatient Sample (NIS) and Kid's Inpatient Sample (KID) databases. Hospitalizations were identified as NAT or AT based on ICD codes. Discharge weights were used to obtain national estimates and standardize them across the different sampling structures. Outcomes (hospital charges, length of stay (LOS), and mortality) were compared, and multivariate regression analyses were used to assess independent predictors of hospital charges and mortality.

RESULTS

Fifty-eight Thousand Two Hundred Seventy-five pediatric hospitalizations were included with 17,954 (0.3%) categorized as NAT. Children with NAT were younger, more female, less likely to identify as White, and more under public insurance than those with AT. Hospital charges were significantly higher in patients with NAT ($27,100 versus $19,900, P < 0.0001). Mortality (4.9% versus 0.0%, P < 0.0001) and LOS (3.2 d versus 1.5 d, P < 0.0001) were significantly higher among patients with NAT. Multivariable regression analyses identified NAT as a predictor of higher hospital charges, mortality, and LOS.

CONCLUSIONS

Nonaccidental trauma in pediatric patients is associated with significantly higher hospital charges, mortality, and LOS than accidental trauma. Ongoing research focused on the relative impact of known risk factors and resource utilization is needed.

ICD-10-CM Codes for the Identification of Abusive Head Trauma in Administrative Datasets

OBJECTIVE

We sought to develop and validate a list of ICD-10-CM codes identifying abusive head trauma (AHT).

METHODS

Subjects included all children under 2 years with head trauma seen in the emergency department or admitted to one of 5 medical centers. Cases were classified as AHT, accidental head injury, or indeterminate based on chart review of the medical record. ICD-10-CM code list to identify cases of AHT was developed based on prior head injury code lists. Sensitivity and specificity of the final code list were calculated.

RESULTS

There were 2883 patients in the study population of whom 524 had AHT, 2123 had accidental injury, and 236 were indeterminate cases. The final list of AHT codes had a sensitivity of 76.1% (95% CI 72.5-79.8) and a specificity of 98.5% (95% CI 98.0-99.0) when limiting analyses to the groups with identified cause of injury (accidental vs abusive). Misclassification of cases based on codes resulting in false positives and false negatives was due to coding errors.

CONCLUSIONS

The list of ICD-10-CM codes can be utilized to identify and track cases of AHT at a national level in large administrative datasets though likely underestimates true injury burden.

Traumatic head injury due to child maltreatment: epidemiology, cost analysis, and impact of prevention

BACKGROUND

Traumatic head injury due to child maltreatment (THI-CM), also known as abusive head trauma (AHT), is a significant public health problem due to the wide array of consequences affecting multiple domains of a child's health and development. Several studies have evaluated its cost on healthcare systems, families, and societies. Many jurisdictions have implemented caregiver education programs to prevent THI-CM.

OBJECTIVES

This paper aims to provide a brief overview of the epidemiology and cost analysis of THI-CM and discuss its prevention and the intergenerational transmission of child maltreatment.

METHODS

Although not systematic, a literature search of original articles published from 2000 to 2022 in English and French was undertaken using the following databases: PubMed, EMBASE (Ovid), and PsycINFO (OVID). The search combined terms related to traumatic head injury and child maltreatment, with terms related to its cost and prevention. Studies of children aged 0-5 years old were included. The authors completed a screen of the titles and abstracts to determine relevance with respect to this article.

RESULTS

Globally, although THI-CM accounts for a small proportion of cases of child maltreatment, there is a high incidence of death and neurological sequelae compared to other causes of head trauma.The incidence of THI-CM is likely underestimated due to the lack of standardized definitions, differences in reporting, and challenges in identifying less severe cases. Cost analysis studies reveal the significant short- and long-term costs associated with THI-CM. Caregiver education programs have been studied and implemented in many centers and have shown varying but promising results.

CONCLUSION

A multi-pronged approach to prevention efforts should be considered to support families and help to prevent THI-CM and maltreatment throughout childhood.

Abusive head injuries in infants: from founders to denialism and beyond

INTRODUCTION

Abusive head injuries is a major cause of severe morbidity and the main cause of mortality by head trauma in infants.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Based on published data and their own clinical and medicolegal practice, the authors review briefly the historical roots and emergence of the concept of abusive head injuries (AHI), until the present scientific understanding of shaken baby syndrome (SBS) and Silverman syndrome. They then discuss the present epidemic of denialism and how this challenge to science should be seen as a stimulus to increase research and improve the accuracy of diagnosis and medical practice.

RESULTS

The denial of SBS is especially damaging because it undermines the possibilities of prevention and reparation for victims. The authors expand on AHI being part of a wider context of domestic violence and the prevention of child abuse being part of a broad and long-term endeavor to defend civilization values.

CONCLUSIONS

Prevention of AHI is a major challenge for the future. In the fields of science and prevention of child abuse, the input of pediatric neurosurgeons should not be underestimated.

Health services utilization and cost of abusive head trauma in Taiwan: A population-based retrospective matched cohort study

BACKGROUND

Abusive head trauma (AHT) is a serious health problem that results the highest mortality among children who are maltreated. Many AHT survivors suffer from long-term sequelae and require medical treatment. However, the knowledge of AHT-attributable health services utilization and costs at national level are limited.

OBJECTIVE

To estimate health services utilization and costs attributable to AHT among children aged 0-4 years in Taiwan.

PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING

Sixty-three fatal and 664 survival AHT cases were identified using Taiwan national population database between 2003 and 2015. A total of 2656 non-AHT children were exactly 4:1 matched to the survival cases based on their birth year, gender, the calendar year of the index date, insured location, and health insurance premium (social economic status indicator).

METHODS

Health services utilization and costs were calculated on an annual basis for 3 years after the index date. AHT-attributable health services utilization and costs during 3-year follow-up period was evaluated by regression models.

RESULTS

AHT diagnosis was positively associated with inpatient admissions, length of stay, emergency room (ER) visits, and outpatient visits. AHT-attributable medical costs were 1.64-17.27 times, 1.25-5.22 times, and 1.77-2.36 times greater for inpatient, ER, and outpatient during 3-year period than matched controls, respectively. Fatal AHT cases had higher inpatient utilization and greater medical costs than AHT survivors.

CONCLUSIONS

Children with AHT had greater health services utilization and higher costs for years. Strategies to reduce the burden of AHT on health care system are imperative.

The effect of a shaken baby syndrome prevention program on Turkish mothers' awareness and knowledge: A randomized controlled study

PURPOSE

This study aimed to develop an evidence-based education program to increase mothers' awareness and knowledge of shaken baby syndrome (SBS) and evaluate program effectiveness.

DESIGN AND METHODS

Mothers with babies between 2 and 4 months of age were completed the study (intervention group = 43 and control group = 44). This single-blind randomized controlled study was conducted between September 2020 and February 2021. The intervention group participated in an 8-week follow-up. Outcome variables were assessed at baseline and 8 weeks after commencement of the intervention, which included measures to evaluate the administration of the shaken baby syndrome prevention program (SBSPP). The study was approved by ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04568538.

RESULTS

Scores for the SBS assessment survey were significantly higher in the intervention group than in the control group.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

Developing effective interventions for SBS is an important public health goal. This study is the first to prove the effectiveness of an SBSPP conducted by nurses in Turkey. We believe that the implementation of this program in a larger sample will make a significant contribution to SBS reduction. Pediatric nurses identify the needs of parents with babies younger than 6 months and support them to manage this process correctly.

The economic costs of child maltreatment in UK

Child maltreatment is a major public health problem with significant consequences for individual victims and for society. In this paper, we quantify for the first time the economic costs of fatal and nonfatal child maltreatment in the UK in relation to several short-, medium-, and long-term outcomes ranging from physical and mental health problems to labor market outcomes and welfare use. We combine novel regression analysis of rich data from the National Child Development Study and the English Longitudinal Study of Aging with secondary evidence to produce an incidence-based estimate of the lifetime costs of child maltreatment from a societal perspective. The discounted average lifetime incidence cost of nonfatal child maltreatment by a primary caregiver is estimated at £89,390 (95% uncertainty interval £44,896 to £145,508); the largest contributors to this are costs from social care, short-term health, and long-term labor market outcomes. The discounted lifetime cost per death from child maltreatment is estimated at £940,758, comprising health care and lost productivity costs. Our estimates provide the first comprehensive benchmark to quantify the costs of child maltreatment in the UK and the benefits of interventions aimed at reducing or preventing it.

Identifying patterns of health care utilisation among physical elder abuse victims using Medicare data and legally adjudicated cases: protocol for case-control study using data linkage and machine learning

INTRODUCTION

Physical elder abuse is common and has serious health consequences but is under-recognised and under-reported. As assessment by healthcare providers may represent the only contact outside family for many older adults, clinicians have a unique opportunity to identify suspected abuse and initiate intervention. Preliminary research suggests elder abuse victims may have different patterns of healthcare utilisation than other older adults, with increased rates of emergency department use, hospitalisation and nursing home placement. Little is known, however, about the patterns of this increased utilisation and associated costs. To help fill this gap, we describe here the protocol for a study exploring patterns of healthcare utilisation and associated costs for known physical elder abuse victims compared with non-victims.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

We hypothesise that various aspects of healthcare utilisation are differentially affected by physical elder abuse victimisation, increasing ED/hospital utilisation and reducing outpatient/primary care utilisation. We will obtain Medicare claims data for a series of well-characterised, legally adjudicated cases of physical elder abuse to examine victims' healthcare utilisation before and after the date of abuse detection. We will also compare these physical elder abuse victims to a matched comparison group of non-victimised older adults using Medicare claims. We will use machine learning approaches to extend our ability to identify patterns suggestive of potential physical elder abuse exposure. Describing unique patterns and associated costs of healthcare utilisation among elder abuse victims may improve the ability of healthcare providers to identify and, ultimately, intervene and prevent victimisation.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

This project has been reviewed and approved by the Weill Cornell Medicine Institutional Review Board, protocol #1807019417, with initial approval on 1 August 2018. We aim to disseminate our results in peer-reviewed journals at national and international conferences and among interested patient groups and the public.

Identification of Abusive Head Trauma in High-Risk Infants: A Cost-Effectiveness Analysis

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the cost-effectiveness of abusive head trauma detection strategies in emergency department settings with and without rapid magnetic resonance imaging (rMRI) availability.

STUDY DESIGN

A Markov decision model estimated outcomes in well-appearing infants with high-risk chief complaints. In an emergency department without rMRI, we considered 3 strategies: clinical judgment, universal head computed tomography (CT) scan, or the Pittsburgh Infant Brain Injury Score (PIBIS) with a CT scan. In an emergency department with rMRI for brain availability, we considered additional strategies: universal rMRI, universal rMRI with a CT scan, PIBIS with rMRI, and PIBIS with rMRI followed by a CT scan. Correct diagnosis eliminated future risk; missed abusive head trauma led to reinjury risk with associated poor outcomes. Cohorts were followed for 1 year from a healthcare perspective. One-way and probabilistic sensitivity analyses were performed. The main outcomes evaluated in this study were abusive head trauma correctly identified and incremental cost per quality-adjusted life-year.

RESULTS

Without rMRI availability, PIBIS followed by a CT scan was the most cost-effective strategy. Results were sensitive to variation of CT scan-induced cancer parameters and abusive head trauma prevalence. When rMRI was available, universal rMRI followed by a confirmatory CT scan cost $25 791 to gain 1 additional quality-adjusted life-year compared with PIBIS followed by rMRI with a confirmatory CT scan. In both models, clinical judgement was less effective than alternative strategies.

CONCLUSIONS

By applying CT scans to a more targeted population, PIBIS decreases radiation exposure and is more effective for the identification of abusive head trauma compared with clinical judgment. When rMRI is available, universal rMRI with a CT scan is more effective than PIBIS and is economically favorable.

What Variables Correlate With Different Clinical Outcomes of Abusive Head Injury?

BACKGROUND

The spectrum of injury severity for abusive head trauma (AHT) severity is broad, but outcomes are unequivocally worse than accidental trauma. There are few publications that analyze different outcomes of AHT.

OBJECTIVE

To determine variables associated with different outcomes of AHT.

METHODS

Patients were identified using our AHT database. Three different, but not mutually exclusive, outcomes of AHT were modeled: (1) death or hemispheric stroke (diffuse loss of grey-white differentiation); (2) stroke(s) of any size; and (3) need for a neurosurgical operation. Demographic and clinical variables were collected and correlations to the 3 outcomes of interest were identified using bivariate and multivariable analysis.

RESULTS

From January 2009 to December 2017, 305 children were identified through a prospectively maintained AHT database. These children were typically male (60%), African American (54%), and had public or no insurance (90%). A total of 29 children (9.5%) died or suffered a massive hemispheric stroke, 57 (18.7%) required a neurosurgical operation, and 91 (29.8%) sustained 1 or more stroke. Death or hemispheric stroke was statistically associated with the pupillary exam (odds ratio [OR] = 45.7) and admission international normalized ratio (INR) (OR = 17.3); stroke was associated with the pupillary exam (OR = 13.2), seizures (OR = 14.8), admission hematocrit (OR = 0.92), and INR (9.4), and need for surgery was associated with seizures (OR = 8.6).

CONCLUSION

We have identified several demographic and clinical variables that correlate with 3 clinically applicable outcomes of abusive head injury.

Paediatric abusive head trauma in the emergency department: A multicentre prospective cohort study

AIM

Abusive head trauma (AHT) is associated with high morbidity and mortality. We aimed to describe characteristics of cases where clinicians suspected AHT and confirmed AHT cases and describe how they differed.

METHODS

This was a planned secondary analysis of a prospective multicentre cohort study of head injured children aged <18 years across five centres in Australia and New Zealand. We identified cases of suspected AHT when emergency department clinicians raised suspicion on a clinical report form or based on research assistant-assigned epidemiology codes. Cases were categorised as AHT positive, negative and indeterminate after multidisciplinary review. Suspected and confirmed AHT and non-AHT cases were compared using odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals.

RESULTS

AHT was suspected in 70 of 13 371 (0.5%) head-injured children. Of these, 23 (32.9%) were categorised AHT positive, 18 (25.7%) AHT indeterminate and 29 (27.1%) AHT negative. Median age was 0.8 years in suspected, 1.4 years in confirmed AHT and 4.1 years in non-AHT cases. Odds ratios (95% confidence interval) for presenting features and outcomes in confirmed AHT versus non-AHT were: loss of consciousness 2.8 (1.2-6.9), scalp haematoma 3.9 (1.7-9.0), seizures 12.0 (4.0-35.5), Glasgow coma scale ≤12 30.3 (11.8-78.0), abnormal neuroimaging 38.3 (16.8-87.5), intensive care admission 53.4 (21.6-132.5) and mortality 105.5 (22.2-500.4).

CONCLUSIONS

Emergency department presentations of children with suspected and confirmed AHT had higher rates of loss of consciousness, scalp haematomas, seizures and low Glasgow coma scale. These cases were at increased risk of abnormal computed tomography scans, need for intensive care and death.

Severe acquired brain injury aetiologies, early clinical factors, and rehabilitation outcomes: a retrospective study on pediatric patients in rehabilitation

Objective: Studies on pediatric severe acquired brain injury (sABI) outcomes focused mostly on single etiologies, not clarifying the independent role of clinical factors, and scantly explored inter-dependence between variables. We assessed associations of clinical factors at admission with essential outcomes, controlling for inter-dependence and sABI etiology. Methods: We reviewed the clinical records of 280 patients with traumatic and 292 with non-traumatic sABI, discharged from intensive care to pediatric neurological rehabilitation. We analyzed the distribution of clinical factors based on sABI etiology; conducted a factor analysis of variables; built multivariate models evaluating the associations of variables with death, persistent vegetative states, duration of coma, GOS outcome, length of stay. Results: We described the study sample. Factor analysis of inter-dependence between GCS, time before rehabilitation, dysautonomia, device use, produced the indicators "injury severity" and "neurological dysfunction", independent from sABI etiology, age, sex, and admittance GOS. Multivariate analyzes showed that: coma duration, GOS outcome, and length of stay, which may depend on rehabilitation courses, were directly associated with injury severity, neurological dysfunction, and patients' age; death and persistent vegetative states were also associated with etiology. Conclusion: Future studies should analyze larger cohorts and investigate mechanisms linking specific etiologies and patients' age with outcomes.

Pediatric Abusive Head Trauma: Return to Hospital System in the First Year Post Injury

BACKGROUND

Abusive head trauma (AHT) may result in costly, long-term sequelae.

OBJECTIVE

To describe the burden of AHT on the hospital system within the first year of injury.

METHODS

Single institution retrospective evaluation of AHT cases from January 2009 to August 2016. Demographic, clinical (including injury severity graded I-III), and charge data associated with both initial and return hospital visits within 1 yr of injury were extracted.

RESULTS

A total of 278 cases of AHT were identified: 60% male, 76% infant, and 54% African-American. Of these 278 cases, 162 (60%) returned to the hospital within the first year, resulting in 676 total visits (an average of 4.2 returns/patient). Grade I injuries were less likely to return than more serious injuries (II and III). The majority were outpatient services (n = 430, 64%); of the inpatient readmissions, neurosurgery was the most likely service to be involved (44%). Neurosurgical procedures accounted for the majority of surgeries performed during both initial admission and readmission (85% and 68%, respectively). Increasing injury severity positively correlated with charges for both the initial admission and returns (P < .001 for both). Total calculated charges, including initial admission and returns, were over $25 million USD.

CONCLUSION

AHT has a high potential for return to the hospital system within the first year. Inpatient charges dominate and account for the vast majority of hospital returns and overall charges. A more severe initial injury correlates with increased charges on initial admission and on subsequent hospital return.

Ongoing Pediatric Health Care for the Child Who Has Been Maltreated

Pediatricians provide continuous medical care and anticipatory guidance for children who have been reported to state child protection agencies, including tribal child protection agencies, because of suspected child maltreatment. Because families may continue their relationships with their pediatricians after these reports, these primary care providers are in a unique position to recognize and manage the physical, developmental, academic, and emotional consequences of maltreatment and exposure to childhood adversity. Substantial information is available to optimize follow-up medical care of maltreated children. This new clinical report will provide guidance to pediatricians about how they can best oversee and foster the optimal physical health, growth, and development of children who have been maltreated and remain in the care of their biological family or are returned to their care by Child Protective Services agencies. The report describes the pediatrician's role in helping to strengthen families' and caregivers' capabilities and competencies and in promoting and maximizing high-quality services for their families in their community. Pediatricians should refer to other reports and policies from the American Academy of Pediatrics for more information about the emotional and behavioral consequences of child maltreatment and the treatment of these consequences.

The Initiation of Rehabilitation Therapies and Observed Outcomes in Pediatric Traumatic Brain Injury

PURPOSE

Pediatric traumatic brain injury (TBI) is associated with immense physical, emotional, social, and economic burden. This study examined timing and frequency of rehabilitation services provided by the inpatient interdisciplinary team in children admitted for a TBI. Understanding the timing and frequency of rehabilitation services could guide TBI recovery.

DESIGN AND METHODS

This is a 3-year prospective observational study of previously healthy children (n = 35) admitted for a TBI to an urban Level 1 trauma hospital. Children with mild, moderate, and severe TBI were included. Initiation and frequency of the interdisciplinary rehabilitation team's care and neurocognitive-functional outcomes were analyzed. Outcome measures included the Glasgow Outcome Scale-Extended Pediatrics and the Speech Pathology Neurocognitive-Functional Evaluation at hospital discharge and first follow-up visit.

RESULTS

The initiation and the frequency of rehabilitation services were found in all severities of TBI. Timing and frequency of services also aligned with varied severities. Children with moderate TBI showed the most improvement in Glasgow Outcome Scale-Extended Pediatrics and the Speech Pathology Neurocognitive-Functional Evaluation on their first follow-up visit, whereas children with mild and severe TBI demonstrated little change in outcome at their first follow-up visit and had varied services based on their hospital course.

CONCLUSION

Services by interdisciplinary rehabilitation teams were provided across all brain injury severity groups, despite the lack of comprehensive rehabilitation guidelines. Varied neurocognitive and functional outcome changes measured found children with moderate TBI had the greatest change in outcomes. Further research is warranted to assess the timing and frequency of services and their relationship to neurocognitive-functional outcomes.

Understanding Subdural Collections in Pediatric Abusive Head Trauma

Life-threatening physical abuse of infants and toddlers is frequently correlated with head injuries. A common variant of the abusive head trauma is the shaken baby syndrome. The present review article sheds light on subdural collections in children with abusive head trauma and aims at providing a recent knowledge base for various medical disciplines involved in diagnostic procedures and legal proceedings. To this end, the different subdural collection entities are presented and illustrated. The pathophysiologic background is explained. Differential and age-diagnostic aspects are discussed and summarized by tabular and graphic overviews. Two problematic constellations frequently occurring during initial CT investigations are evaluated: A mixed-density subdural collection does not prove repeated trauma, and hypodense subdural collections are not synonymous with chronicity. The neuroradiologic analysis and assessment of subdural collections may decisively contribute to answering differential diagnostic and forensic questions. In addition to more reference data, a harmonization of terminology and methodology is urgently needed, especially with respect to age-diagnostic aspects.

Comparison of Direct Surgical Costs for Proximal Row Carpectomy and Four-Corner Arthrodesis

Background  Proximal row carpectomy (PRC) and four-corner arthrodesis (FCA) are common treatments for stage II scapholunate advanced collapse (SLAC) and scaphoid nonunion advanced collapse (SNAC) wrists, with similar functional and patient-reported outcomes reported in the peer-reviewed literature. Questions  Study questions included (1) whether surgical encounter total direct costs (SETDCs) differ between PRC and FCA, and (2) whether SETDC differs by method of fixation for FCA. Patients and Methods  Consecutive adult patients (≥ 18 years) undergoing PRC and FCA between July 2011 and May 2017 at a single tertiary care academic institution were identified. Patients undergoing additional simultaneous procedures were excluded. Using our institution's information technology value tools, we extracted prospectively collected cost data for each surgical encounter. SETDCs were compared between PRC and FCA, and between FCA subgroups (screws, plating, or staples). Results  Of 42 included patients, mean age was similar between the 23 PRC and 19 FCA patients (51.2 vs. 54.5 years, respectively). SETDCs were significantly greater for FCA than PRC by 425%. FCA involved significantly greater facility costs (2.3-fold), supply costs (10-fold), and operative time (121 vs. 57 minutes). Implant costs were absent for PRC, which were responsible for 55% of the SETDC for FCA. Compared with compression screws, plating and staple fixation were significantly more costly (70% and 240% greater, respectively). Conclusion  SETDCs were 425% greater for FCA than PRC. Implant costs for FCA alone were 130% greater than the entire surgical encounter for PRC. For FCA, SETDC varied depending on the method of fixation. Level of Evidence  This is a level III, cost analysis study.

Emergency Department Visits Owing to Intentional and Unintentional Traumatic Brain Injury among Infants in the United States: A Population-Based Assessment

OBJECTIVE

To examine national trends of emergency department (ED) visits owing to traumatic brain injury (TBI) among infants (age <12 months), specifically in the context of intentional and unintentional mechanisms.

STUDY DESIGN

National Electronic Injury Surveillance System-All Injury Program data documenting nonfatal ED visits from 2003 to 2012 were analyzed. TBI was defined as ED visits resulting in a diagnosis of concussion, or fracture, or internal injury of the head. Intentional and unintentional injury mechanisms were compared using multivariable models. Joinpoint regression was used to identify significant time trends.

RESULTS

TBI-related ED visits (estimated n = 713 124) accounted for 28% of all injury-related ED visits by infants in the US, yielding an average annual rate of 1722 TBI-related ED visits per 100 000 infants. Trend analysis showed an annual increase of 9.48% in the rate of TBI-related ED visits over 10 years (P < .05). For these visits, an estimated 701 757 (98.4%) were attributed to unintentional mechanisms and 11 367 (1.6%) to intentional mechanisms. Unintentional TBI-related ED visit rates increased by 9.52% annually (P < .05) and the rates of intentional TBI were relatively stable from 2003 to 2012. Infants with intentional TBI were more likely to be admitted (aOR, 11.44; 95% CI, 3.02-21.75) compared with those with unintentional TBI.

CONCLUSIONS

The rate of TBI-related ED visits in infants increased primarily owing to unintentional mechanisms and intentional TBI-related ED visits remained stable over the decade. Improved strategies to reduce both intentional and unintentional injuries in infants are required.

Longitudinal analysis of hospital charges following injury in a level 1 pediatric trauma system

BACKGROUND

The treatment of injured children contributes substantially to the financial burden of a health care system. The purpose of this study was to characterize these charges at a level-1 pediatric trauma center.

METHODS

Financial data for children (<14 years) admitted for traumatic injury from 1/2009 to 12/2014 were analyzed. The charges of the index admission and first two years following discharge were evaluated.

RESULTS

5853 trauma patients were included with average annual charges of $11,128,730. The most common mechanisms of injury were fall (44%), sports (12%), and bike (9%). The median ISS was 6 (IQR 4-10) with a mortality rate of 1.8% and Z-score of 13.04 (p<0.001). The overall total charges per patient during the index admission were $9513. Spinal cord and major abdominal injuries had the greatest charges per patient ($55,560 and $23,618 respectively) primarily owing to hospital LOS. During the first year after discharge, the total charges per patient were $1733, of which spinal cord injury resulted in highest overall ($19,426), owing to inpatient rehabilitation. For all other injury patterns, mean total charges per patient were $2376 (range $791-$3573).

CONCLUSIONS

The value proposition in health care requires us to define outcomes relative to costs. Injury severity, major injury location, and hospital length of stay are the highest contributors for the financial burden of pediatric traumatic injury, while inpatient readmissions and inpatient rehabilitation drove higher charges in the years following discharge.

TYPE OF STUDY

Clinical Research Paper.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

II - Cohort Study.

Eight-year outcome of implementation of abusive head trauma prevention

Low incidence rates and economic recession have hampered interpretation of educational prevention efforts to reduce abusive head trauma (AHT). Our objective was to determine whether the British Columbia experience implementing a province-wide prevention program reduced AHT hospitalization rates. A 3-dose primary, universal education program (the Period of PURPLE Crying) was implemented through maternal and public health units and assessed by retrospective-prospective surveillance. With parents of all newborn infants born between January 2009 and December 2016 (n = 354,477), nurses discussed crying and shaking while delivering a booklet and DVD during maternity admission (dose 1). Public health nurses reinforced Talking Points by telephone and/or home visits post-discharge (dose 2) and community education was instituted annually (dose 3). During admission, program delivery occurred for 90% of mothers. Fathers were present 74.4% of the time. By 2-4 months, 70.9% of mothers and 50.5% of fathers watched the DVD and/or read the booklet. AHT admissions decreased for <12-month-olds from 10.6 (95% CI: 8.3-13.5) to 7.1 (95% CI: 4.8-10.5) or, for <24-month-olds, from 6.7 (95% CI: 5.4-8.3) to 4.4 (95% CI: 3.1-6.2) cases per 100,000 person-years. Relative risk of admission was 0.67 (95% CI: 0.42-1.07, P = 0.090) and 0.65 (95% CI: 0.43-0.99, P = 0.048) respectively. We conclude that the intervention was associated with a 35% reduction in infant AHT admissions that was significant for <24-month-olds. The results are encouraging that, despite a low initial incidence and economic recession, reductions in AHT may be achievable with a system-wide implementation of a comprehensive parental education prevention program.

Lifetime Cost of Abusive Head Trauma at Ages 0-4, USA

This paper aims to estimate lifetime costs resulting from abusive head trauma (AHT) in the USA and the break-even effectiveness for prevention. A mathematical model incorporated data from Vital Statistics, the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project Kids' Inpatient Database, and previous studies. Unit costs were derived from published sources. From society's perspective, discounted lifetime cost of an AHT averages $5.7 million (95% CI $3.2-9.2 million) for a death. It averages $2.6 million (95% CI $1.0-2.9 million) for a surviving AHT victim including $224,500 for medical care and related direct costs (2010 USD). The estimated 4824 incident AHT cases in 2010 had an estimated lifetime cost of $13.5 billion (95% CI $5.5-16.2 billion) including $257 million for medical care, $552 million for special education, $322 million for child protective services/criminal justice, $2.0 billion for lost work, and $10.3 billion for lost quality of life. Government sources paid an estimated $1.3 billion. Out-of-pocket benefits of existing prevention programming would exceed its costs if it prevents 2% of cases. When a child survives AHT, providers and caregivers can anticipate a lifetime of potentially costly and life-threatening care needs. Better effectiveness estimates are needed for both broad prevention messaging and intensive prevention targeting high-risk caregivers.

PATHOLOGY OF PERIMACULAR FOLDS DUE TO VITREORETINAL TRACTION IN ABUSIVE HEAD TRAUMA

PURPOSE

To demonstrate vitreoretinal traction as a mechanism for perimacular folds in abusive head trauma.

METHODS

We performed gross and histopathologic examination of eyes of children with suspected abusive head trauma and identified those with typical perimacular folds. Information was collected regarding the incident that led to the child's death and systemic manifestations noted at autopsy. Eyes were prepared in a fashion that allowed for demonstration of the vitreoretinal interface.

RESULTS

Ten eyes of five patients (2-13 months) were examined. All patients had systemic manifestations of abusive trauma including intracranial injury. All cases provided evidence of vitreoretinal traction producing perimacular folds. Condensed vitreous was seen attached to the apices of the retinal folds, and the detached internal limiting membrane comprising the inner surfaces of the schisis cavity. Four cases showed severe bilateral multilayered symmetric retinal hemorrhages extending to the ora serrata. All cases showed optic nerve sheath subdural hemorrhage and subarachnoid hemorrhage. Orbital hemorrhage was unilateral in two cases and bilateral in three cases. Four cases showed orbital fat hemorrhage. One case showed extraocular muscle sheath and cranial nerve sheath hemorrhage. Two cases showed juxtapapillary intrascleral hemorrhage.

CONCLUSION

Vitreoretinal traction is the likely mechanism of perimacular folds in abusive head trauma.

Prevention and recognition of abusive head trauma: training for healthcare professionals in Vietnam

AIM

This study presents results from an intervention designed to improve identification and response to abusive head trauma in a tertiary paediatric hospital in Vietnam.

METHODS

One hundred and sixteen healthcare professionals (paediatric medical and nursing staff) completed a clinical training programme and participated in its evaluation. A pre-post-test and follow-up design was used to evaluate the outcomes. Questionnaires were used to collect data prior to training, at six weeks and at six months. Generalised linear modelling was used to examine changes in diagnostic skills and knowledge of the consequences of shaken baby syndrome (SBS) (a form of abusive head trauma), its prevention and treatment.

RESULTS

At baseline, awareness and knowledge reflected no former abusive head trauma training. Following the intervention, participants had an increased awareness of shaken baby syndrome and the potential consequences of shaking infants and had acquired techniques to inform parents how to manage the crying infant.

CONCLUSION

The intervention was effective in raising awareness of shaken baby syndrome and its consequences amongst the participating healthcare professionals in Vietnam. Training can improve detection and prevention of abusive head trauma, and the intervention has the potential to be adapted for similar settings internationally.

Abusive Head Trauma and Mortality-An Analysis From an International Comparative Effectiveness Study of Children With Severe Traumatic Brain Injury

OBJECTIVES

Small series have suggested that outcomes after abusive head trauma are less favorable than after other injury mechanisms. We sought to determine the impact of abusive head trauma on mortality and identify factors that differentiate children with abusive head trauma from those with traumatic brain injury from other mechanisms.

DESIGN

First 200 subjects from the Approaches and Decisions in Acute Pediatric Traumatic Brain Injury Trial-a comparative effectiveness study using an observational, cohort study design.

SETTING

PICUs in tertiary children's hospitals in United States and abroad.

PATIENTS

Consecutive children (age < 18 yr) with severe traumatic brain injury (Glasgow Coma Scale ≤ 8; intracranial pressure monitoring).

INTERVENTIONS

None.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

Demographics, injury-related scores, prehospital, and resuscitation events were analyzed. Children were dichotomized based on likelihood of abusive head trauma. A total of 190 children were included (n = 35 with abusive head trauma). Abusive head trauma subjects were younger (1.87 ± 0.32 vs 9.23 ± 0.39 yr; p < 0.001) and a greater proportion were female (54.3% vs 34.8%; p = 0.032). Abusive head trauma were more likely to 1) be transported from home (60.0% vs 33.5%; p < 0.001), 2) have apnea (34.3% vs 12.3%; p = 0.002), and 3) have seizures (28.6% vs 7.7%; p < 0.001) during prehospital care. Abusive head trauma had a higher prevalence of seizures during resuscitation (31.4 vs 9.7%; p = 0.002). After adjusting for covariates, there was no difference in mortality (abusive head trauma, 25.7% vs nonabusive head trauma, 18.7%; hazard ratio, 1.758; p = 0.60). A similar proportion died due to refractory intracranial hypertension in each group (abusive head trauma, 66.7% vs nonabusive head trauma, 69.0%).

CONCLUSIONS

In this large, multicenter series, children with abusive head trauma had differences in prehospital and in-hospital secondary injuries which could have therapeutic implications. Unlike other traumatic brain injury populations in children, female predominance was seen in abusive head trauma in our cohort. Similar mortality rates and refractory intracranial pressure deaths suggest that children with severe abusive head trauma may benefit from therapies including invasive monitoring and adherence to evidence-based guidelines.

Effect of the Earned Income Tax Credit on Hospital Admissions for Pediatric Abusive Head Trauma, 1995-2013

OBJECTIVES

Policies that increase household income, such as the earned income tax credit (EITC), have shown reductions on risk factors for child maltreatment (ie, poverty, maternal stress, depression), but evidence is lacking on whether the EITC actually reduces child maltreatment. We examined whether states' EITCs are associated with state rates of hospital admissions for abusive head trauma among children aged <2 years.

METHODS

We conducted difference-in-difference analyses (ie, pre- and postdifferences in intervention vs control groups) of annual rates of states' hospital admissions attributed to abusive head trauma among children aged <2 years (ie, using aggregate data). We conducted analyses in 14 states with, and 13 states without, an EITC from 1995 to 2013, differentiating refundable EITCs (ie, tax filer gets money even if taxes are not owed) from nonrefundable EITCs (ie, tax filer gets credit only for any tax owed), controlling for state rates of child poverty, unemployment, high school graduation, and percentage of non-Latino white people.

RESULTS

A refundable EITC was associated with a decrease of 3.1 abusive head trauma admissions per 100 000 population in children aged <2 years after controlling for confounders ( P = .08), but a nonrefundable EITC was not associated with a decrease ( P = .49). Tax refunds ranged from $108 to $1014 and $165 to $1648 for a single parent working full-time at minimum wage with 1 child or 2 children, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings with others suggest that policies such as the EITC that increase household income may prevent serious abusive head trauma.

Abusive head trauma: an epidemiological and cost analysis

OBJECTIVE Research on pediatric abusive head trauma (AHT) has largely focused on clinical presentation and management. The authors sought to review a single-institution experience from a public health perspective to gain a better understanding of the local population affected, determine overall incidence and seasonal trends, and provide details on the initial hospitalization, including extent of injuries, neurosurgical interventions, and hospital charges. METHODS All cases of AHT involving patients who presented to Le Bonheur Children's Hospital (LBCH) from 2009 through 2014 were identified. AHT was defined as skull fracture or intracranial hemorrhage in a child under the age of 5 years with a suspicious mechanism or evidence of other intentional injuries, such as retinal hemorrhages, old or new fractures, or soft-tissue bruising. Injuries were categorized as Grade I (skull fracture only), Grade II (intracranial hemorrhage or edema not requiring surgical intervention), or Grade III (intracranial hemorrhage requiring intervention or death due to brain injury). RESULTS Two hundred thirteen AHT cases were identified. The demographics of the study population are similar to those reported in the literature: the majority of the patients involved were 6 months of age or younger (55%), male (61%), African American (47%), and publicly insured (82%). One hundred one neurosurgical procedures were performed in 58 children, with the most common being bur hole placement for treatment of subdural collections (25%) and decompressive hemicraniectomy (22%). The annual incidence rate rose from 2009 (19.6 cases per 100,000 in the population under 5 years of age) to 2014 (47.4 cases per 100,000) and showed seasonal peaks in January, July, and October (6-year average single-month incidence, respectively, 24.7, 21.7, and 24.7 per 100,000). The total hospital charges were $13,014,584, with a median cost of $27,939. Treatment costs for children who required surgical intervention (i.e., those with Grade III) were up to 10 times those of children with less severe injuries. CONCLUSIONS In the authors' local population, victims of AHT are overwhelmingly infants, are more often male than female, and are disproportionately from lower socioeconomic ranks. The incidence is increasing and initial hospitalization charges are substantial and variable. The authors introduce a simple 3-tiered injury classification scheme that adequately stratifies length of hospital stay and cost.

Evaluation of knowledge regarding shaken baby syndrome among parents and medical staff

BACKGROUND

Shaken baby syndrome (SBS), currently functioning as abusive head trauma (AHT), is a form of violence against children mainly under 2 years of age. The number of SBS might be underestimated, as many cases of violence remain unreported. The aim of the study was the evaluation of the state knowledge of the SBS phenomenon, its scale and diagnostic methods among parents, medical staff and medical students.

METHODS

A total of 639 people were examined: 39% of parents, 32.5% of medical staff members, and 28.5% of medical students; 82% were women. The average age was 34.9±9.78 years, and 70% of them had children. The research tool was an anonymous survey. The 34 questions concerned numerous aspects of violence against children as well as knowledge about SBS.

RESULTS

According to 90% of the interviewees shaking a baby may be dangerous but 43% have never heard about shaken baby syndrome. Eighty-eight percent of responders stated that "SBS is a form of violence," but only 57% realize that one-time shaking can lead to death and only 19% indicated men as aggressors. Sixteen percent of medical staff members did not know how long it takes for the consequences of shaking a baby to be revealed.

CONCLUSIONS

Majority of the medical staff members working with children have never heard about SBS. Only half of the surveyed understands the connection of shaking with vision loss or child's death. Among the long-term consequences of shaking a baby, the greatest knowledge concerns emotional consequences of shaking.

An evidence-based method for targeting an abusive head trauma prevention media campaign and its evaluation

BACKGROUND

A triple-dose abusive head trauma (AHT) prevention program (Period of PURPLE Crying) was implemented. The third dose consisted of an education media campaign. The study objectives were to describe the qualitative and spatial methods developed to target AHT prevention and to evaluate this campaign.

METHODS

A questionnaire on the level of importance of factors, rated on a 7-point Likert scale, was distributed to a panel of experts to determine the best advertising locations. Ranked factors were used to create weights for statistical modeling and mapping within a Geographic Information Systems to determine optimal ad locations. The media campaign was evaluated via a telephone survey of randomly selected households.

RESULTS

The survey found locations of new families, high population density, and high percentage of lone parents to be the most important factors for selecting billboard sites. Spatial analysis revealed six areas that ranked highest in our factors. Five billboards, four media posters, and six transit shelters were selected for our advertisements. A population-based telephone survey revealed that 23% of respondents knew the campaign. Nearly half (42%) heard the radio public service announcements, and 9% saw billboards.

CONCLUSION

Extending primary prevention efforts to the public helps to create a cultural change in the way inconsolable crying, the trigger for AHT, is viewed. With the use of ranked factors and Geographic Information Systems, geographic locations with high visibility and specific risk factors for AHT were identified for targeting the campaign, facilitating the likelihood that our message was reaching the population in greatest need.

Simulation of the Impact of Programs for Prevention and Screening of Pediatric Abusive Head Trauma

Primary prevention programs of pediatric abusive head trauma (PAHT) exist and early screening is proposed, but negative effects of mislabeling parents as abusers, an important issue, are not well documented. The aim of our study was to simulate the possible impact of programs for the primary prevention and screening of PAHT. We developed Markov models that simulate the life histories of PAHT with no intervention, with primary prevention program only, with screening program, and with both programs in a hypothetical cohort of 800,000 newborns in a high-income country. Screening program would be addressed to all families until children are 2 years old, during repeated consultations. Potential side effects for parents being mislabeled as abusers were supposed to increase the probability of PAHT and decrease participation in screening. Time horizon was 2 years with cycles of 15 days. Outcomes were number of deaths and abused children avoided. Uncertainty was specified with probability distributions. After 2 years, the median number of deaths avoided through primary prevention would vary from 6 (95% confidence interval [CI] 2-11) to 28 (95% CI 6-51) per 100,000 newborns. Screening could prevent up to 6 (95% CI 0-29) or cause up to 66 (95% CI 0-361) deaths per 100,000 children born alive. The impact of both programs was uncertain. Our model confirmed the potential benefits of primary prevention and documented the uncertainty associated with screening of PAHT.

Effectiveness of a Statewide Abusive Head Trauma Prevention Program in North Carolina

IMPORTANCE

Abusive head trauma (AHT) is a serious condition, with an incidence of approximately 30 cases per 100,000 person-years in the first year of life.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the effectiveness of a statewide universal AHT prevention program.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

In total, 88.29% of parents of newborns (n = 405 060) in North Carolina received the intervention (June 1, 2009, to September 30, 2012). A comparison of preintervention and postintervention was performed using nurse advice line telephone calls regarding infant crying (January 1, 2005, to December 31, 2010). A difference-in-difference analysis compared AHT rates in the prevention program state with those of other states before and after the implementation of the program (January 1, 2000, to December 31, 2011).

INTERVENTION

The Period of PURPLE Crying intervention, developed by the National Center on Shaken Baby Syndrome, was delivered by nurse-provided education, a DVD, and a booklet, with reinforcement by primary care practices and a media campaign.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

Changes in proportions of telephone calls for crying concerns to a nurse advice line and in AHT rates per 100,000 infants after the intervention (June 1, 2009, to September 30, 2011) in the first year of life using hospital discharge data for January 1, 2000, to December 31, 2011.

RESULTS

In the 2 years after implementation of the intervention, parental telephone calls to the nurse advice line for crying declined by 20% for children younger than 3 months (rate ratio, 0.80; 95% CI, 0.73-0.87; P < .001) and by 12% for children 3 to 12 months old (rate ratio, 0.88; 95% CI, 0.78-0.99; P = .03). No reduction in state-level AHT rates was observed, with mean rates of 34.01 person-years before the intervention and 36.04 person-years after the intervention. A difference-in-difference analysis from January 1, 2000, to December 31, 2011, controlling for economic indicators, indicated that the intervention did not have a statistically significant effect on AHT rates (β coefficient, -1.42; 95% CI, -13.31 to 10.45).

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

The Period of PURPLE Crying intervention was associated with a reduction in telephone calls to a nurse advice line. The study found no reduction in AHT rates over time in North Carolina relative to other states. Consequently, while this observational study was feasible and supported the program effectiveness in part, further programmatic efforts and evaluation are needed to demonstrate an effect on AHT rates.

Health Care Costs 1 Year After Pediatric Traumatic Brain Injury

OBJECTIVES

This study sought to estimate total health care costs for mild, moderate, and severe pediatric traumatic brain injury (TBI) and to compare individual- and population-level costs across levels of TBI severity.

METHODS

Using 2007 to 2010 MarketScan Commercial Claims and Encounters data, we estimated total quarterly health care costs 1 year after TBI among enrollees (aged < 18 years). We compared costs across levels of TBI severity using generalized linear models.

RESULTS

Mild TBI accounted for 96.6% of the 319 103 enrollees with TBI; moderate and severe TBI accounted for 1.7% and 1.6%, respectively. Adjusted individual health care costs for moderate and severe TBI were significantly higher than mild TBI in the year after injury (P < .01). At the population level, moderate and severe TBI costs were 88% and 75% less than mild TBI, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Individually, moderate and severe TBI initially generated costs that were markedly higher than those of mild TBI. At the population level, costs following mild TBI far exceeded those of more severe cases, a result of the extremely high population burden of mild TBI.

Annual Cost of U.S. Hospital Visits for Pediatric Abusive Head Trauma

We estimated the frequency and direct medical cost from the provider perspective of U.S. hospital visits for pediatric abusive head trauma (AHT). We identified treat-and-release hospital emergency department (ED) visits and admissions for AHT among patients aged 0-4 years in the Nationwide Emergency Department Sample and Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS), 2006-2011. We applied cost-to-charge ratios and estimated professional fee ratios from Truven Health MarketScan(®) to estimate per-visit and total population costs of AHT ED visits and admissions. Regression models assessed cost differences associated with selected patient and hospital characteristics. AHT was diagnosed during 6,827 (95% confidence interval [CI] [6,072, 7,582]) ED visits and 12,533 (95% CI [10,395, 14,671]) admissions (28% originating in the same hospital's ED) nationwide over the study period. The average medical cost per ED visit and admission were US$2,612 (error bound: 1,644-3,581) and US$31,901 (error bound: 29,266-34,536), respectively (2012 USD). The average total annual nationwide medical cost of AHT hospital visits was US$69.6 million (error bound: 56.9-82.3 million) over the study period. Factors associated with higher per-visit costs included patient age <1 year, males, coexisting chronic conditions, discharge to another facility, death, higher household income, public insurance payer, hospital trauma level, and teaching hospitals in urban locations. Study findings emphasize the importance of focused interventions to reduce this type of high-cost child abuse.

Update on abusive head trauma

PURPOSES OF REVIEW

This article provides an update on abusive head trauma (AHT), focusing on new developments most salient to the emergency medicine clinician, including epidemiology, clinical recognition, diagnostic work-up, management of neurologic injury, and public health implications.

RECENT FINDINGS

The recent literature has focused on honing the clinician's ability to recognize AHT and its immediate sequelae, to more accurately distinguish between abusive and accidental head injuries by patterns of neuroimaging and retinal hemorrhages, and to appreciate the long-term impacts. Specifically, both a clinical prediction rule and biomarker show promise, and new research advocates for the early identification of subclinical seizures as well as cervical spine injuries.

SUMMARY

The emergency medicine provider must be able to recognize and manage children who may have AHT and to appreciate when the diagnostic findings warrant consultation with a child protection team. These authors summarize the recent and notable advances in our understanding of AHT.

Evaluation of child maltreatment in the emergency department setting: an overview for behavioral health providers

Emergency providers are confronted with medical, social, and legal dilemmas with each case of possible child maltreatment. Keeping a high clinical suspicion is key to diagnosing latent abuse. Child abuse, especially sexual abuse, is best handled by a multidisciplinary team including emergency providers, nurses, social workers, and law enforcement trained in caring for victims and handling forensic evidence. The role of the emergency provider in such cases is to identify abuse, facilitate a thorough investigation, treat medical needs, protect the patient, provide an unbiased medical consultation to law enforcement, and provide an ethical testimony if called to court.