Clinical Decision Tool
PECARN Head Trauma Rules
Evidence-based clinical decision rules for identifying children at very low risk of clinically important traumatic brain injuries. Validated on over 42,000 patients.
Why PECARN Rules Matter for Legal Cases
PECARN is a validated clinical decision rule used to help identify children at very low risk of clinically important traumatic brain injury. Its application depends on the documented clinical presentation, and deviation from a decision rule does not by itself establish a deviation from the applicable standard of care.
Validated Evidence
42,000+ patient study
Decision-Support Tool
Informs, but does not mandate, evaluation
Legal Significance
Expert witness testimony
Download Complete Guidelines
Children Under 2 Years
Specific criteria and decision algorithms for infants and toddlers
Key Criteria Include:
- • Normal mental status
- • No scalp hematoma (except frontal)
- • No loss of consciousness ≥5 seconds
- • Non-severe injury mechanism
- • No palpable skull fracture
- • Acting normally per parents
Children 2-18 Years
Decision rules for children, adolescents, and young adults
Key Criteria Include:
- • Normal mental status (GCS 15)
- • No loss of consciousness
- • No vomiting
- • Non-severe injury mechanism
- • No severe headache
- • No signs of basilar skull fracture
Need Expert Analysis of Your PECARN Case?
Independent pediatric medical analysis of how PECARN and the documented clinical presentation relate in your pediatric head injury matter.