Management of childhood neurotrauma.

A summary of some of the more important aspects of brain, spinal, peripheral nerve and sport injuries of childhood is presented. Guidelines for the treatment of severe brain injury have been developed for adults, are currently employed with success to treat children, but much information still needs to be acquired about childhood brain injury so that better age specific treatment modalities could be implemented. The unique anatomy of the spine during childhood predisposes to cervical spinal injury without radiographic abnormality; immobilization is the primary treatment and a minority of cases require surgery. Peripheral nerve injuries are uncommon, often missed, and require skillful evaluation and early treatment by physical therapy and oftentimes surgery. Appreciation of the sequelae of cerebral concussion, education on proper sport techniques, body conditioning, and equipment upkeep are the mainstay of vigilant sport injury treatment and prevention.