Paediatric trauma protocols

The following guidelines will assist radiologists and clinicians dealing with a severely injured child to base imaging decisions on the best available evidence. The emphasis is on careful, competent clinical evaluation and knowledge of injury patterns in children of various ages, judicious use of plain radiographs and targeted use of CT with relevant paediatric protocols. The use of adult protocols and in particular the ‘whole-body’ CT trauma survey is not appropriate as a routine investigation in childhood.

This document will discuss the relevant indications and appropriate imaging for each anatomical region. Variations dependent on age will be highlighted.

This document was reviewed by the Clinical Radiology Professional Support and Standards Board and the Clinical Radiology Faculty Board in 2017 and was retained in its current format.