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Australian and New Zealand Guideline for Mild to Moderate Head Injuries in Children
Author(s) -
Babl Franz E,
Tavender Emma,
Ballard Dustin W,
Borland Meredith L,
Oakley Ed,
Cotterell Elizabeth,
Halkidis Lambros,
Goergen Stacy,
Davis Gavin A,
Perry David,
Anderson Vicki,
Barlow Karen M,
Barnett Peter,
Bennetts Scott,
Bhamjee Roisin,
Cole Joanne,
Craven John,
Haskell Libby,
Lawton Ben,
Lithgow Anna,
Mullen Glenda,
O'Brien Sharon,
Paproth Michelle,
Wilson Catherine L,
Ring Jenny,
Wilson Agnes,
Leo Grace SY,
Dalziel Stuart R
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
emergency medicine australasia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.602
H-Index - 52
eISSN - 1742-6723
pISSN - 1742-6731
DOI - 10.1111/1742-6723.13722
Subject(s) - guideline , medicine , triage , multidisciplinary approach , context (archaeology) , medline , family medicine , evidence based practice , medical emergency , alternative medicine , pathology , paleontology , social science , sociology , political science , law , biology
Objective Children frequently present with head injuries to acute care settings. Although international paediatric clinical practice guidelines for head injuries exist, they do not address all considerations related to triage, imaging, observation versus admission, transfer, discharge and follow‐up of mild to moderate head injuries relevant to the Australian and New Zealand context. The Paediatric Research in Emergency Departments International Collaborative (PREDICT) set out to develop an evidence‐based, locally applicable, practical clinical guideline for the care of children with mild to moderate head injuries presenting to acute care settings. Methods A multidisciplinary Guideline Working Group (GWG) developed 33 questions in three key areas – triage, imaging and discharge of children with mild to moderate head injuries presenting to acute care settings. We identified existing high‐quality guidelines and from these guidelines recommendations were mapped to clinical questions. Updated literature searches were undertaken, and key new evidence identified. Recommendations were created through either adoption, adaptation or development of de novo recommendations. The guideline was revised after a period of public consultation. Results The GWG developed 71 recommendations (evidence‐informed = 35, consensus‐based = 17, practice points = 19), relevant to the Australian and New Zealand setting. The guideline is presented as three documents: (i) a detailed Full Guideline summarising the evidence underlying each recommendation; (ii) a Guideline Summary; and (iii) a clinical Algorithm: Imaging and Observation Decision‐making for Children with Head Injuries. Conclusions The PREDICT Australian and New Zealand Guideline for Mild to Moderate Head Injuries in Children provides high‐level evidence and practical guidance for front line clinicians.