SYNOPSIS

Inflicted paediatric head injury is a significant issue in both Australia and New Zealand. They are a major contributor to morbidity and mortality in infants and toddlers, data however comparing patterns of injury in corroborated accidental trauma and confessed child abuse is scarce.

Given the nature of these cases most specialties, in particular Paediatricians, Neurosurgeons, Intensivists, Ophthalmologists, and Forensic Pathologists are involved with these patients, and the subsequent legal proceedings.

All head injuries with abnormal neuro imaging, seen at Auckland Starship Children’s hospital over a 20 year period (1999-2010) were reviewed. With particular attention on children under the age of 3 years, and those assessed by the child protection unit – Te Puaruruhau.

This talk will give a brief synopsis on 519 patients under the age of three with head injury (2001-2010), and a fatal cohort of 167 cases (1991-2010). The majority of the talk will however focus on 317 patients assessed as suspected child abuse. Addressing among other things referral patterns, demographics as a screening tool, the diagnostic utility of skeletal survey; ophthalmologic assessment and skull fractures.

 SPEAKER

Mr Simon John

Paediatric Neurosurgeon is an Australasian neurosurgical graduate trained in Auckland and Perth, with paediatric neurosurgical attachments in Auckland Starship Children’s Hospital and Perth’s Princess Margaret Hospital. In 2011 he completed a one year full time research project, reviewing 20 years of paediatric head injury in Auckland. He was the fellow here at the Royal Children’s for the first half of this year, and will be a locum consultant till February 2015.