Understanding Bilateral Skull Fractures in Infancy: A Retrospective Multicenter Case Review.

BACKGROUND: Bilateral skull fractures in infancy often raise suspicion for abuse. Nevertheless, literature suggests that they may occur accidentally. However, empiric data are lacking. OBJECTIVE: This multicenter retrospective review aimed to characterize bilateral skull fractures in a large sample. PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING: Medical records for infants younger than 24 months with bilateral skull fractures involving hospital consultation with a child abuse pediatrician (CAP) were reviewed from 2005 to 2020 at 13 nationally represented institutions. METHODS: Standardized data collection across institutions included historical features, fracture characteristics, and additional injuries, as well as the CAP's determination of accident versus abuse. Pooled data were analyzed for descriptive and bivariate analyses. RESULTS: For 235 cases, 141 were accidental, and 94 abuse. The majority occurred in young infants, and a history of a fall was common in 70% of cases. More than 80% involved both parietal bones. Bilateral simple linear fractures were more common in accidental cases, 79% versus 35%, whereas a complex fracture was more frequent in abuse cases, 55% versus 21% ( P < 0.001). Almost two thirds of accidental cases showed approximation of the fractures at the sagittal suture, compared with one third of abuse cases ( P < 0.001). Whereas focal intracranial hemorrhage was seen in 43% of all cases, diffuse intracranial hemorrhage was seen more in abuse cases (45%) than accidents (11%). Skin trauma was more common in abusive than accidental injury (67% vs 17%, P < 0.001), as were additional fractures on skeletal survey (49% vs 3%, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: A fall history was common in bilateral skull fractures deemed accidental by a CAP. Most accidental cases involved young infants with biparietal simple linear fractures, without skin trauma or additional fractures. A skeletal survey may aid in the determination of accidental or abusive injury for unwitnessed events resulting in bilateral skull fractures in infants.

Case-Based Workshop for Teaching Child Abuse Prevention to Resident Physicians.

INTRODUCTION: Child abuse is a ubiquitous problem with personal, interpersonal, and social consequences. Risk factors are well established, and preventive strategies have been effective in decreasing abusive parenting behaviors and child maltreatment incident reports. Curriculum tools are needed to incorporate these strategies into training programs so physicians are adequately trained to identify and prevent child maltreatment at the earliest opportunity. METHODS: A literature review established the core content for the curriculum. Resident learning needs were assessed with an online survey sent to graduating residents and teaching faculty. Curriculum objectives were composed to target core content and to address learning needs. Adult learning theories were applied to design interactive, case-based workshops to meet the curriculum objectives. A qualitative assessment tool was distributed to participating residents pre- and postcurriculum. Evaluators were blinded to pre/post status. Follow-up surveys distributed 3 months after the curriculum evaluated for retention of content and application to clinical practice. RESULTS: After workshop participation, residents showed a greater tendency to associate somatic and behavioral complaints with potential toxic stress or abuse and demonstrated understanding of ongoing needs and risks in affected families. On follow-up surveys, most residents self-reported progress toward incorporating discussion of risk factors, stress, and abuse into routine well-child visits. DISCUSSION: Resident physicians who attended the child abuse prevention workshop acquired knowledge and skills relevant to secondary and tertiary child abuse prevention and indicated progress toward primary prevention goals during the subsequent 3 months.

Normal computerized tomography of brain in children with shaken baby syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: To characterize the clinical presentation and clinical course of shaken baby syndrome (SBS) with normal cranial computerized tomography (CT) on admission and to suggest further diagnostic procedures in such circumstances. METHODS: Using a worldwide listserv designed to facilitate discussion in the field of child abuse and neglect, we solicited case information for children hospitalized in different medical centers, who were diagnosed with SBS and had a normal CT scan on admission. RESULTS: Nine cases were identified. While all children had an abnormal neurologic examination on admission, eight had a normal CT, and one had "widening of cranial sutures." In four cases, subdural hemorrhage was diagnosed on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) 3 to 7 days after admission. Five children had bone fractures. The neurological outcome was normal in four of nine cases. Five children had long-term neurologic damage. The diagnosis of SBS was supported by either perpetrator confession, characteristic evolution of brain abnormalities on CT or MRI, inconsistent or absent explanatory history, and/or other social risk factors. CONCLUSION: The diagnosis of SBS can be established even when brain CT is normal on admission. The documentation of retinal hemorrhages is of primary importance in establishing the diagnosis of SBS in these cases.