Canadian Assessment of Tomography for Childhood Head injury - who needs a CT after minor head injury.
The CATCH Rule (Paediatric Head Injury) is a Neurology & trauma scoring tool used in paediatric practice. Canadian Assessment of Tomography for Childhood Head injury - who needs a CT after minor head injury. It scores 7 criteria and interprets the total across 3 bands, so the number always arrives with the severity it implies rather than on its own. In PediAid each criterion is shown as a labelled option with the weight it carries, so the total can be checked rather than taken on trust.
7. They are HIGH - GCS < 15 at two hours after injury; HIGH - Suspected open or depressed skull fracture; HIGH - Worsening headache; HIGH - Irritability on examination; MEDIUM - Any sign of basal skull fracture; MEDIUM - Large, boggy scalp haematoma; and others.
The total is interpreted as: any score - CT not indicated: no high- or medium-risk factors - CT head not indicated by the CATCH rule. Observe and give head-injury advice; 1 risk factor or more - Medium risk - consider CT: medium-risk factor present - CT is recommended to detect brain injury on imaging (sensitivity ~98% for the full rule); 4 risk factors or more - High risk - CT required: high-risk factor present - CT head required; predicts need for neurological intervention (sensitivity 100% in the derivation cohort).
No. It is a structured way to record and communicate severity. A clinician concerned about a child should act on that concern regardless of the total.
Applies to minor head injury: witnessed LOC, amnesia, disorientation, persistent vomiting or persistent irritability, with GCS 13-15.
Yes. Score definitions are bundled with the PediAid app, so the score computes without a connection.