HEAD TRAUMA AMONG CHILDREN IN REYKJAVIK

The incidence of head trauma (ICD9 850-854) among children in the Reyk javik area, aged 0-14 years, was studied over a 5-year period, 1987-19 91, using hospital records. On average, 72 children with head trauma w ere admitted to hospital each year, indicating an annual incidence of 1.70 per 1000 population. Fourteen percent of children admitted to hos pital with head trauma suffered the more severe forms of brain injury (ICD9 851-854) (annual incidence of 0.28 per 1000). Seven children die d from brain injury, indicating an annual death rate of 0.03 per 1000. Falls were the most common cause of head trauma (62%), followed by tr affic accidents (19%). On average, one to two severely brain-injured c hildren received rehabilitation each year.