Screening for Pediatric Abusive Head Trauma in the Emergency Department

Introduction: Abusive head trauma (AHT) is the leading cause of traumatic injury and death in children in the United States. Despite its prevalence and significance, there is limited information on the most valid screening method for detecting AHT in the emergency department (ED). The purpose of this literature review is to comprehensively evaluate and synthesize existing research on screening assessment for pediatric AHT, focusing on their effectiveness, accuracy, and clinical utility in pediatric EDs. Methods: A literature review was conducted following PRISMA guidelines and utilizing PubMed and Covidence databases. Results: Twelve studies were included in this review. Of the screening methods evaluated, the PediBIRN and PredAHT were deemed the most valid. However, all methods require further validation prior to implementation in the pediatric emergency department for AHT detection. Conclusion: Many pediatric AHT detection techniques could be useful in the emergency department. Further evaluation and development of a best-practice screening method for pediatric AHT identification could positively impact patient mortality. Keywords: pediatric abusive head trauma, emergency department, literature review