Citation

Ceballos SG. Adv. Emerg. Nurs. J. 2009; 31(4): 277-286.

Affiliation

Columbia University School of Nursing, New York, NY 10032, USA. sg2612@columbia.edu

Copyright

(Copyright © 2009, Lippincott Williams and Wilkins)

DOI

10.1097/TME.0b013e3181bd785d

PMID

20118881

Abstract

Abusive head trauma (AHT) has greater mortality and morbidity than any other form of physical abuse. Therefore, early recognition and accurate diagnosis are essential for comprehensive investigation and appropriate treatment of infants who present with this devastating traumatic injury. Advanced practice nurses need to have a thorough understanding of AHT in order to promptly and accurately assess and manage these infants. Using a case-based approach, the epidemiology, pathophysiology, mechanisms of injury, clinical presentation, diagnosis, and treatment of AHT are described. This article also discusses AHT prevention and implications for advanced practice nurses caring for these patients.

Language: en