Assessment and Management of Pediatric Trauma

A 7-Module Course Designed for Providers of Early Care to Injured Children

Module 4: Pediatric Head Injuries
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AVPU Pediatric Response Scale for Disability

  • Alert
  • Responsive to Verbal stimuli
  • Responsive to Painful stimuli
  • Unresponsive

(used for rapid initial neurologic assessment and serial evaluation of level of consciousness)

A child in the P or U response category generally has a GCS < 8 and is likely to require airway protection by intubation

GCS and AVPU scales are not validated for use in children. However, most providers are familiar with GCS, despite the AVPU scale being simpler and easier to use.

Module 4: Pediatric Head Injuries