Abusive Head Trauma

Myths

CHAMP Education for Child Abuse Medical Providers

Myths of AHT causation:

  • Common procedures such as lumbar puncture
  • Common symptoms such as cough
  • Dysphagic choking
  • Cerebral sinovenous thrombosis
  • Birth trauma/hypoxic–ischemic injuries (HII) in the newborn (rebleeding)
  • Brief resolved unexplained events
  • Benign enlargement of subarachnoid space (without occipital trauma)

REFERENCES:

  • Choudhary et al 2018

Accessible Version

Unfortunately there are several myths of AHT causation which need to be dispelled in the evaluation. These include a number of similar findings which may be nissinterpreted in the legal system, such as: Common procedures such as lumbar puncture Common symptoms such as cough Dysphagic choking Cerebral sinovenous thrombosis Birth trauma/hypoxic–ischemic injuries (HII) in the newborn (rebleeding) Brief resolved unexplained events (BRUEs) And Benign enlargement of subarachnoid space (without occipital trauma)