PECARN Pediatric Head Injury Rule
Emergency Medicine specialty tool
Bedside Tool Interface Configuration
Identifies pediatric patients at extremely low risk for clinically important brain injuries (ciTBI) after minor blunt head trauma to avoid unnecessary CT scans.
Algorithm Checklist Parameters:
- Patient Age Group
- GCS Score
- Altered Mental Status (Somnolent, repetitive questions, slow response)?
- Signs of Basilar Skull Fracture (Hemotympanum, raccoon eyes, Battle's sign) OR palpable skull fracture?
- History of Loss of Consciousness?
- Severe Mechanism of Injury (MVC with ejection, pedestrian vs car, fall >0.9m [<2 yr] or >1.5m [≥2 yr], or high impact)?
Primary Clinical Application:
Guides clinical observation vs CT scan decision in pediatric head emergency settings.