Socio-Cultural Factors, Health Literacy, and Parental CT Demand in Pediatric Minor Head Trauma

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This prospective, single-center observational study will enroll 200 children under 18 with minor head trauma at a Turkish emergency department. Clinicians will classify risk using the PECARN rule, while family socio-cultural level and health literacy are measured with validated tools, and parental requests for CT imaging are documented. By comparing PECARN risk with real-world imaging decisions and parental factors, the study aims to understand non-clinical drivers of CT use. Data collection is designed to minimize information bias by masking the socio-cultural assessment from the treating team during decision-making. The findings could explain why CT usage diverges from PECARN guidance in routine practice.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Age less than 18 years at time of emergency department presentation
2. Presenting complaint of head trauma sustained within the preceding 24 hours
3. Classified as minor head trauma at triage, defined as a Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score of 14 or 15 at initial assessment
4. Accompanied by a parent or legal guardian with capacity to provide written informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

1. GCS score 13 or less at presentation (moderate or severe head injury)
2. Transfer from another medical facility
3. Head trauma sustained more than 24 hours before emergency department presentation
4. Known coagulopathy, anticoagulant therapy, or bleeding disorder
5. Ventriculoperitoneal shunt in situ
6. Previous intracranial neurosurgery
7. Pre-existing neurological disorder affecting GCS interpretation (e.g., cerebral palsy, developmental delay)
8. Clinical suspicion of abusive head trauma (non-accidental injury) identified by the treating physician
9. Concurrent multi-system trauma
10. No accompanying parent or guardian available for consent and socio-cultural assessment

Where it's running

• SBU Bursa Yuksek Ihtisas Egitim ve Arastirma Hastanesi
  Bursa, Turkey (Türkiye) Recruiting

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Zulfi Engindeniz, MD — SBU Bursa Yuksek Ihtisas Egitim ve Arastirma Hastanesi
• Study coordinator: Zulfi Engindeniz, MD
• Email: zengindeniz@gmail.com
• Phone: +905334169101

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How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.