Skull fracture (peds)

This page is for pediatric patients. For adult patients, see: skull fracture.

Background

Bones of the cranium.
  • Predictor of intracranial injury
  • Infants are at higher risk due to thinner calvarium (median age for isolated skull fracture is 10 months)[1]
  • Most skull fractures have overlying hematoma

Clinical Features

Differential Diagnosis

Head trauma

Maxillofacial Trauma

Evaluation

  • Head CT
  • Evaluate for additional injuries

Management

Disposition

  • Consider discharge if[2][1]:
  • Admit all others

See Also

External Links

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 Elizabeth C. Powell, et al. Isolated Linear Skull Fractures in Children With Blunt Head Trauma. Pediatrics Apr 2015, 135 (4) e851-e857; DOI: 10.1542/peds.2014-2858
  2. Bressan, S., Marchetto, L., Lyons, T. W., Monuteaux, M. C., Freedman, S. B., Da Dalt, L., & Nigrovic, L. E. (2018). A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of the Management and Outcomes of Isolated Skull Fractures in Children. Annals of Emergency Medicine, 71(6), 714–724.e2.