ABSTRACT
Trauma is the leading cause of death in children over 1 year old, and blunt trauma is the most common mechanism. Cervical hyperextension can occur during a rear impact in a car accident or from a frontal impact to the head. Compared with adults, children have a proportionally heavier head and weaker cervical muscles, which together with more elastic spinal ligaments and horizontal facet joints permit displacement without fracture and spontaneous anatomical resolution. Haemostasis is immature in neonates with procoagulant and anticoagulant proteins, remaining low until 6 months old. Children are more susceptible to hypothermia than adults: wet clothes should be removed early and warming blankets used. A chest radiograph is mandated in major trauma. A CT scan of the chest should be performed after a penetrating chest injury or a significant deceleration.
