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Pediatric intracranial epidural hematoma
The most common cause of pediatric epidural hematomas is head trauma, usually resulting from accidents or falls. The trauma causes damage to the blood vessels, leading to bleeding in the epidural space.
Some specific etiologies and risk factors that may contribute to the development of pediatric intracranial epidural hematoma include:
Head injuries: Falls, motor vehicle accidents, sports-related injuries, or any trauma to the head can cause blood vessels to rupture, leading to epidural bleeding.
Skull fractures: Fractures in the skull bones can tear blood vessels, leading to bleeding in the epidural space.
Birth-related injuries: In rare cases, birth-related trauma can cause intracranial epidural hematomas in newborns.
Bleeding disorders: Children with bleeding disorders, such as hemophilia, are at a higher risk of developing intracranial epidural hematomas after head injuries.
Abusive head trauma (shaken baby syndrome): In cases of non-accidental trauma, abusive shaking of a child can cause intracranial bleeding, including epidural hematomas.
Coagulopathies: Some medical conditions that affect blood clotting can increase the risk of bleeding, leading to epidural hematomas.