Implications for practice
- It is vital that all children with suspected abusive head trauma (AHT) have their eyes examined thoroughly by an ophthalmologist (dilated pupils and indirect fundoscopy) for the presence of retinal haemorrhage
- Skeletal survey including oblique views of the ribs should be performed in all children less than two years of age with suspected AHT
- Certain features (retinal haemorrhage, apnoea) appear to correlate strongly with AHT rather than non-abusive head trauma in children less than three years of age
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