Serious Head Injury During the First Year of Life

This article is a review of the literature dealing with serious head injury during the first year of life. The most frequent types of head injury during the first year of life are described in relationship to the differences in the infant's brain and cranium. The causes of infant head injury including falls from heights, motor vehicle accidents, and child abuse are presented. Diagnostic procedures, evaluation techniques, and the outcome of such injuries are discussed. Suggestions for parent education by pediatric health care clinicians to prevent serious head injury during the first year of life are made.