CATCH Rule for Pediatric Head Injury

CT recommended if any high-risk criterion or ≥2 medium-risk criteria (teaching).

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Select all that apply:

High-risk criteria

GCS <15 at 2 hours after injury Suspected open or depressed skull fracture Signs of basal skull fracture Worst headache Irritability on assessment Dangerous mechanism Amnesia >30 minutes before assessment ≥2 episodes of vomiting

Medium-risk criteria

Fall >3 ft (0.9 m) or ≥5 stairs Non-frontal scalp hematoma LOC >1 minute at scene Severe mechanism of injury Amnesia before assessment <30 minutes

CATCH

How it works

CATCH guides CT use in children with minor head injury.

Limits

Does not replace clinician judgment or institutional pediatric protocols.

Educational tool only—not for diagnosis or treatment decisions.

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