This study sought to determine the incidence of delayed diagnosis of intracranial hemorrhage in the general population and the proportion of children who presented to emergency departments (EDs) with uncomplicated minor head injuries who received delayed diagnoses of intracranial hemorrhage.
This was an 8-year, retrospective, cohort study of children or =6 hours after injury) were identified.
An estimated 17,962 children (95% confidence interval [CI]: 17,412-18,511 children) with uncomplicated minor head injuries were evaluated at Calgary Health Region EDs. Two and 8 children were identified as having delayed diagnoses of intracranial hemorrhage with and without delayed deterioration in level of consciousness (Glasgow Coma Scale scores of