Health

PECARN Head CT Decision Rule

Determine CT necessity in pediatric minor head trauma.

Age Group

GCS = 15?

Altered mental status?

Palpable skull fracture? (< 2yr)

Loss of consciousness?

Severe mechanism? (MVC, fall > 3ft/5ft, bike vs car)

Vomiting?

Severe headache? (≥ 2yr only)

PECARN Decision Rule

PECARN identifies children at very low risk for clinically important traumatic brain injury (ciTBI) who do not need CT. Very high risk criteria (CT recommended): GCS < 15, altered mental status, palpable skull fracture (< 2yr). Intermediate risk: LOC, severe mechanism, vomiting, severe headache. Low risk (all absent): < 0.05% ciTBI risk – observe.