CATCH Rule — Paediatric Head CT
Canadian Assessment of Tomography for Childhood Head injury. Guides CT head in children ≥ 2 years with minor head injury (GCS 13–15).
Score interpretation
No high-risk or medium-risk factors. CT head not required.
→ Observe in ED for minimum 4–6 hours. Discharge with head injury advice sheet if GCS 15 and improving. Return if: vomiting, worsening headache, drowsiness, seizure.
Medium-risk factor present. CT head recommended to detect brain injury.
→ CT head within 1–4 hours. Neurosurgery referral if abnormality found. Observe minimum 4–6 hours post-CT.
High-risk factor present. Urgent CT head required — possible neurosurgical injury.
→ URGENT CT head (within 1 hour). Immediate neurosurgery referral. PICU involvement if GCS < 13. Safeguarding if mechanism inconsistent with injury.
Interpretation bands for the CATCH Rule. Apply clinical judgement and local guidance.
References
- Osmond MH et al. CATCH: a clinical decision rule for the use of computed tomography in children with minor head injury. CMAJ. 2010.
- NICE CG176. Head injury: assessment and early management. 2014.
Related
Curated clinical cross-links plus same-class fallbacks.
- Cetuximab · Anti-EGFR Monoclonal Antibody — Head and Neck Cancer
- Cisplatin · Platinum Chemotherapy — Head and Neck Cancer
- Methotrexate · Chemotherapy / Immunosuppressant — Head and Neck / Granulomatosis
- Pembrolizumab (Head and Neck SCC) · PD-1 Inhibitor
- Nivolumab (Head and Neck SCC) · PD-1 Inhibitor
- Melatonin · Melatonin Receptor Agonist
Decision support only — verify against a current formulary, NICE, or your local guideline before clinical use.