Dataset Information

Retinal haemorrhages and related findings in abusive and non-abusive head trauma: a systematic review.

ABSTRACT:

Aim

To report the retinal signs that distinguish abusive head trauma (AHT) from non-abusive head trauma (nAHT).

Methods

A systematic review of literature, 1950-2009, was conducted with standardised critical appraisal. Inclusion criteria were a strict confirmation of the aetiology, children aged <11 years and details of an examination conducted by an ophthalmologist. Post mortem data, organic disease of eye, and inadequate examinations were excluded. A multivariate logistic regression analysis was conducted to determine odds ratios (OR) and probabilities for AHT.

Results

Of the 62 included studies, 13 provided prevalence data (998 children, 504 AHT). Overall, retinal haemorrhages (RH) were found in 78% of AHT vs 5% of nAHT. In a child with head trauma and RH, the OR that this is AHT is 14.7 (95% confidence intervals 6.39, 33.62) and the probability of abuse is 91%. Where recorded, RH were bilateral in 83% of AHT compared with 8.3% in nAHT. RH were numerous in AHT, and few in nAHT located in the posterior pole, with only 10% extending to periphery. True prevalence of additional features, for example, retinal folds, could not be determined.

Conclusions

Our systematic review confirms that although certain patterns of RH were far commoner in AHT, namely large numbers of RH in both the eyes, present in all layers of the retina, and extension into the periphery, there was no retinal sign that was unique to abusive injury. RH are rare in accidental trauma and, when present, are predominantly unilateral, few in number and in the posterior pole.

SUBMITTER: Maguire SA

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3545381 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

ACCESS DATA

Publications

Retinal haemorrhages and related findings in abusive and non-abusive head trauma: a systematic review.

Maguire S A SA Watts P O PO Shaw A D AD Holden S S Taylor R H RH Watkins W J WJ Mann M K MK Tempest V V Kemp A M AM

Eye (London, England) 20121019 1

<h4>Aim</h4>To report the retinal signs that distinguish abusive head trauma (AHT) from non-abusive head trauma (nAHT).<h4>Methods</h4>A systematic review of literature, 1950-2009, was conducted with standardised critical appraisal. Inclusion criteria were a strict confirmation of the aetiology, children aged <11 years and details of an examination conducted by an ophthalmologist. Post mortem data, organic disease of eye, and inadequate examinations were excluded. A multivariate logistic regress ...[more]

PMID: 23079748

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Project description:Importance:Studies suggest that a postnatal parental intervention may reduce the incidence of abusive head trauma (AHT) of infants and young children. Objective:To assess the effect of statewide universal AHT education for parents on AHT hospitalization rates in Pennsylvania and on parents' self-reported knowledge gains and parenting behaviors. Design, Setting, and Participants:Changes in AHT hospitalization rates in Pennsylvania before and during the intervention were compared with those in 5 other states lacking universal parental AHT education during the same period. Data were collected from maternity units and birthing centers throughout Pennsylvania from the parents of 1?593?834 infants born on these units from January 1, 2003, to December 31, 2013. Parental behavior and knowledge were assessed through immediate (n?=?16?111) and 7-month postintervention (n?=?146) parent surveys in a per protocol analysis of evaluable parents. Interventions:Parents read a brochure, viewed an 8-minute video about infant crying and AHT, asked questions of the nurse, and signed a commitment statement affirming their participation. Educational posters were displayed on each unit. Main Outcomes and Measures:Changes in AHT hospitalization rates before and during the intervention in Pennsylvania and 5 other states. Secondary outcomes included self-reported knowledge gains and changes in parenting practices. Results:A total of 1?180?291 parents (74.1%) of children ranging in age from 0 to 23 months signed a commitment statement. Incidence rate ratios for hospitalization for AHT increased in Pennsylvania from 24.1 (95% CI, 22.1-26.3) to 26.6 (95% CI, 24.9-28.4) per 100?000 children aged 0 to 23 months during the intervention period; changes in Pennsylvania were not significantly different from aggregate changes in the 5 other states, from 22.4 (95% CI, 21.2-23.6) to 22.0 (95% CI, 21.2-22.8) per 100?000 children aged 0 to 23 months. A total of 16?111 parents (21.5% men, 78.5% women) completed the postnatal survey. Despite an overall 74.1% adherence with the intervention, only 20.6% of parents saw the brochure and video and only 5.7% were exposed to the entire intervention. Among the respondents answering individual questions on the postnatal surveys, 10?958 mothers (91.0%) and 2950 fathers (88.6%) reported learning a lot about understanding infant crying as normal; 11?023 mothers (92.2%) and 2923 fathers (88.9%), calming their infant, 11?396 mothers (94.6%) and 3035 fathers (91.9%), calming themselves; 10?060 mothers (85.1%) and 2688 fathers (83.4%), selecting other infant caregivers; and 11?435 mothers (94.8%) and 3201 fathers (95.8%), that the information would decrease the likelihood of shaking an infant. Among the 143 respondents completing the 7-month survey, 109 (76.2%) reported remembering the information while their child was crying. Conclusions and Relevance:This intervention was not associated with a reduction in pediatric AHT hospitalization rates but was associated with self-reported gains in parental knowledge that were retained for 7 months.

Project description:ImportanceIt is important to recognize presenting features and factors associated with mortality in abusive head trauma (AHT) owing to the severity of the diagnosis and the necessity for prompt action.ObjectiveTo describe the prevalence and economic burden of AHT and identify factors associated with mortality.Design, setting, and participantsThis retrospective, cross-sectional study used the Nationwide Emergency Department Sample database to identify all emergency department visits in the US for patients younger than 5 years with a primary diagnosis of abusive head trauma between January 1, 2006, and December 31, 2018. This study was conducted in 2021.Main outcomes and measuresPrevalence, demographic characteristics, clinical characteristics, mortality, and economic burden associated with AHT. Weighted national estimates were calculated using sampling weights provided in the Nationwide Emergency Department Sample database.ResultsFrom 2006 to 2018, there were an estimated 12 287 cases of emergency department visits in the US for patients younger than 5 years with a primary diagnosis of AHT. The estimated number of AHT cases decreased by 672 (95% CI, 403-940; P < .001) from 2006 to 2018. The incidence decreased by 6.7% each year (incidence rate ratio, 0.93; 95% CI, 0.93-0.94; P < .001) between 2006 and 2018. During the course of a hospital visit, 646 patients (5.3%) died. The majority of patients with a diagnosis of AHT were younger than 1 year (n = 7046; 57.3%), were male (n = 7268; 59.2%) and had Medicaid insurance (n = 8585; 70.0%). After controlling for demographic characteristics, factors associated with increased mortality were age greater than 1 year (odds ratio [OR], 2.45; 95% CI, 1.50-3.99; P < .001), first or second income quartile (OR, 1.78; 95% CI, 1.08-2.91; P = .02), midwestern United States (OR, 2.04; 95% CI, 1.04-4.00; P = .04), level 1 trauma center (OR, 2.69; 95% CI, 1.07-6.75; P = .04), orbital fracture (OR, 15.38; 95% CI, 2.41-98.18; P = .004), cerebral edema (OR, 8.49; 95% CI, 5.57-12.93; P < .001), intracranial hemorrhage (OR, 4.27; 95% CI, 1.71-10.67; P = .002), hypoxic ischemic brain injury (OR, 4.16; 95% CI, 2.13-8.10; P < .001), skull fractures (OR, 3.20; 95% CI, 1.76-5.82; P < .001), subarachnoid hemorrhage (OR, 2.43; 95% CI, 1.22-4.83; P = .01), retinal hemorrhage (OR, 2.17; 95% CI, 1.40-3.38; P < .001), and subdural hemorrhage (OR, 2.05; 95% CI, 1.05-3.98; P = .04).Conclusions and relevanceThis study's findings suggest that health care disparities may be present in the treatment of AHT. Recognizing factors suggested in this investigation to be associated with higher mortality, public health efforts should be targeted toward low-income areas and in the midwestern United States.

Dataset Information

Retinal haemorrhages and related findings in abusive and non-abusive head trauma: a systematic review.

Aim

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Publications

Retinal haemorrhages and related findings in abusive and non-abusive head trauma: a systematic review.

Similar Datasets

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