Informative or Misleading? Analysis of Pediatric Head Trauma Videos on YouTube

Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the reliability, quality, understandability, and content comprehensiveness of YouTube videos about pediatric head trauma.Material and Methods: A YouTube search was conducted on April 14, 2025, using the keyword “pediatric head trauma.” Of the first 60 Turkish-language videos retrieved, 18 that met the inclusion criteria were evaluated. Two independent researchers reviewed the videos and recorded the following data: duration, number of views, likes, and comments, as well as uploader type, channel type, and content features. The contents were classified under five headings: trauma mechanism, examination findings, neurological symptoms, CT indications, and follow-up recommendations. Video reliability and quality were assessed using the Modified DISCERN (mDISCERN) scale and the Global Quality Score (GQS). Understandability and actionability were evaluated using the Patient Education Materials Assessment Tool for Audiovisual Materials (PEMAT-AV).Results: 83.33% of the videos scored ≥3 on the mDISCERN scale and 66.67% scored ≥3 on the GQS, indicating moderate to high reliability and quality. Videos produced by healthcare professionals scored higher on the mDISCERN scale and were significantly more reliable. The videos demonstrated high understandability (PEMAT-AV score: 69.33%) but were insufficient in providing practical advice, with a low actionability score (53.28%). Videos containing ≥4 content items scored significantly higher on the mDISCERN scale. No significant correlations were found between video popularity metrics (views, likes, comments) or video duration and the reliability, quality, or understandability scores (mDISCERN, GQS, PEMAT-AV).Conclusion: YouTube videos addressing pediatric head trauma are limited in number, and their content and actionability are insufficient. Videos produced by healthcare professionals have been shown to provide more comprehensive content and are more reliable. Therefore, we believe that simple and accessible videos based on guidelines prepared by health professionals will increase health literacy and contribute to the effective use of the health system.