The edition · Paediatrics
Half of children with mild head injury still get a CT — six in ten in adult hospitals
A US trauma-registry study finds CT use for mild paediatric head injury barely moved in seven years. Also: autism rates that did not rise when everyone was screened, congenital CMV screening, bespoke milk fortification, and an ibuprofen syringe recall.
The edition in brief
Among 12,030 children with isolated mild traumatic brain injury at US trauma centres from 2017 to 2023, 43.5% to 51.5% had a head CT each year, with little change; use was 59.5% in adult hospitals, 44.0% in mixed and 38.8% in paediatric hospitals. A South Korean study that screened every child entering school across 12 birth cohorts found autism cumulative incidence stable at about 2–3%, suggesting reported rises reflect detection; undiagnosed girls were over-represented. A hybrid congenital CMV screening programme across 50,438 births increased detection about 2.5-fold, but audiology follow-up lagged. A randomised trial of 130 very preterm infants found individually targeted fortification guided by milk analysis did not improve growth, body composition or brain MRI. The FDA lists an ongoing recall, not yet classified, of Safecor Health ibuprofen 150 mg/7.5 mL oral syringes for cross-contamination with other products.
Screen everyone, and autism rates stay flat — but girls are being missed
Look actively for autism in girls in mainstream school, who are the group most often undiagnosed.
Congenital CMV screening found 2.5 times more cases; audiology follow-up was the weak link
Test babies who fail the hearing screen for CMV within three weeks of birth, and make sure audiology follow-up actually happens.
Bespoke fortification guided by milk analysis did not improve preterm growth
Standard fortification with adjustment for growth faltering is enough; routine milk analysis did not improve outcomes.
Recall: ibuprofen 150 mg/7.5 mL oral syringes for cross-contamination
Check with pharmacy for Safecor ibuprofen 150 mg/7.5 mL oral syringes and remove affected lots from ward stock.
PECARN in one breath
No PECARN high-risk features means no CT; intermediate features usually mean observe first.
CT for mild paediatric head injury: still half of children, and six in ten in adult hospitals
Apply and document PECARN for every child with mild head injury, especially in adult emergency departments where CT use is highest.
Read the rest in the app
You have read your two free briefings this month. The app carries all 27 specialties, every morning, free — and this one is waiting in it.
Scan to keep reading on your phone. No account needed to start.
Tomorrow morning, before your first patient
One edition a day for paediatrics, written by the desk, every claim tied to its paper. Six minutes.
Get the app — free