Minor head injuries commonly occur in children and adolescents. Approximately 50% of children who visit hospital emergency departments with a head injury are given a CT scan unnecessarily. Exposure to radiation increases the lifetime risk of cancer because a child’s brain tissue is more sensitive to ionizing radiation. Clinical observation prior to CT decision-making for children with minor head injuries is an effective approach when the PECARN Pediatric Head Injury/Trauma algorithm is paired with physician judgement.

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