Uncomplicated linear skull fractures in the paediatric population: a retrospective observational study in a UK Major Trauma Centre.

Purpose: National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE) guidelines advise that paediatric patients with linear skull fractures do not require admission in the absence of intracranial injury. Despite this, a period of inpatient neuro-observation has become the standard advice and practice in the UK for fear of deterioration. Our experience is that these children rarely deteriorate or require neurosurgical intervention.