Serum D-dimer concentrations are increased after pediatric traumatic brain injury.

Objective: To determine whether D-dimer would be increased in children with traumatic brain injury (TBI), specifically mild abusive head trauma.

Study Design: D-dimer was measured using multiplex bead technology in 195 children <4 years old (n = 93 controls without TBI, n = 102 cases with TBI) using previously collected serum. D-dimer was then measured prospectively in a clinical setting in 44 children (n = 24 controls, n = 20 cases).