Pediatric Abusive Head Trauma

Overview

4.7 out of 5 (65 Reviews)

Credits

1.50

Post-Assessment Questions

10

Start Date

1 Sep 2023

Last Review Date

7 Jul 2025

Expiration Date

31 Aug 2026

Estimated Time To Finish

90 Minutes


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Activity Description

Pediatric abusive head trauma (AHT), commonly known as shaken baby syndrome, results from violent shaking, blunt force trauma, or both, primarily affecting infants and young children. The developing brain and fragile infant skull render victims highly susceptible to severe neurological damage. Risk factors include caregiver stress, young or inexperienced parents, and domestic violence. Clinical manifestations vary, encompassing altered mental status, seizures, vomiting, lethargy, retinal hemorrhages, and bruising, though symptoms may appear subtle or delayed. Diagnosis relies on clinical suspicion, neuroimaging, ophthalmologic examination, and skeletal surveys. Management prioritizes patient stabilization, intracranial pressure control, cerebral perfusion pressure maintenance, and treatment of associated injuries. Long-term complications include epilepsy, developmental delays, motor deficits, visual impairment, or death, with AHT being a leading cause of traumatic death in children under 2 years. The prognosis depends on the severity of the injury and timely medical intervention.

This educational activity enhances healthcare professionals’ competence in evaluating and managing pediatric AHT. Participants gain a comprehensive understanding of the condition’s etiology, risk factors, pathophysiology, and clinical presentation. The course emphasizes evidence-based diagnostic and therapeutic approaches, equipping clinicians with skills to identify and address AHT effectively. Collaboration within interprofessional teams, including physicians, nurses, social workers, and child welfare specialists, improves patient outcomes by ensuring thorough assessment, timely intervention, and coordinated care. This multidisciplinary approach facilitates accurate diagnosis, optimizes treatment plans, and supports long-term recovery, ultimately reducing morbidity and mortality associated with AHT.


Target Audience

This activity has been designed to meet the educational needs of physicians, physician associates, nurses, pharmacists, nurse practitioners, and social workers.

Learning Objectives

At the conclusion of this activity, the learner will be better able to:

  • Identify subtle and nonspecific clinical signs, such as lethargy or retinal hemorrhages, of pediatric abusive head trauma to facilitate early and accurate diagnosis.

  • Select clinically appropriate diagnostic tools to evaluate suspected pediatric abusive head trauma cases.

  • Apply individualized, evidence-based strategies for managing pediatric abusive head trauma and its potential complications.

  • Implement effective collaboration and communication among interprofessional team members to improve outcomes and treatment efficacy for pediatric patients who experience abusive head trauma.

Disclosures

StatPearls, LLC requires everyone who influences the content of an educational activity to disclose relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies that have occurred within the past 24 months. Ineligible companies are organizations whose primary business is producing, marketing, selling, re-selling, or distributing healthcare products used by or on patients. All relevant conflict(s) of interest have been mitigated. Hover over contributor names for financial disclosures. Others involved in planning this educational activity have no relevant financial relationships to disclose.

Commercial Support: This activity has received NO commercial support.

Continuing Education Accreditation Information

In support of improving patient care, StatPearls, LLC is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.

 

Nurses: StatPearls designates this activity for 1.50 ANCC contact hour(s). Nurses should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Please consult your professional licensing board for information on the applicability and acceptance of continuing education credit for this activity.

Method of Participation and Credit

  1. Register for the activity.    
  2. Review the target audience, learning objectives, and disclosure information.
  3. Study the educational content of the enduring material.
  4. Choose the best answer to each activity test question. To receive credit and a certificate, you must pass the test questions with a minimum score of 100%.
  5. Complete the post-activity assessment survey.

If you have concerns regarding the CE/CME system, please contact support@statpearls.com.

Disclaimer

This educational activity was planned and produced in accordance with the ACCME Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Education. Faculty may discuss investigational products or off-label uses of products regulated by the US Food and Drug Administration. Readers should verify all information before employing any therapies described in this educational activity.

The information provided for this activity is for continuing education purposes only and is not meant to substitute for the independent medical/clinical judgment of a healthcare provider relative to diagnostic and treatment options of a specific patient’s medical condition. The information presented does not necessarily reflect the views of StatPearls or any commercial supporters of educational activities on statpearls.com. StatPearls expressly disclaims responsibility for any adverse consequences resulting directly or indirectly from information in the course, for undetected error, or through a participant's misunderstanding of the content.

Unapproved Uses of Drugs/Devices: In accordance with FDA requirements, the audience is advised that information presented in this continuing education activity may contain references to unlabeled or unapproved uses of drugs or devices. Please refer to the FDA-approved package insert for each drug/device for full prescribing/utilization information.

Cancellation Policy: Please see the cancellation policy. StatPearls, LLC reserves the right to cancel any course due to unforeseen circumstances.

 

 
 

Reviews

Christopher T. on 1/18/2021

Erin M. on 4/14/2021

Laura C. on 5/30/2021

Kevin B. on 7/10/2021

sharon s. on 9/17/2021

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Dr.Ayodhyaprasad S. on 7/3/2022

David M. on 10/4/2022

mary p. on 11/5/2022

Marissa A. on 11/4/2022

SYED M. on 12/27/2022

Great review!

Linda Y. on 12/31/2022

Parthiban B. on 1/10/2023

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Audrey G. on 8/31/2023

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Unlimited Nurse CE

Stay up to date on the latest medical knowledge with 6690 CE activities. In these online self-assessment activities, read our reference articles and test your knowledge with more than 7955 hours of CE.

Single Activity

Take this single activity

$37.50 1 activity

6 Month Unlimited Nurse CE

Access to all the Unlimited Nurse CE activities in all specialties.

$89 per half year per user

1 Year Unlimited Nurse CE

Access to all the Unlimited Nurse CE activities in all specialties.

$139 per 1 year per user