Which of the following is a common cause of subdural hematoma in infants?

Choice A rationale Stroke (either ischemic or hemorrhagic) is a less common cause of isolated subdural hematoma (SDH) in infants compared to trauma. While some hemorrhagic strokes can cause SDH, a stroke generally involves a disruption of blood flow within the brain parenchyma, distinct from the tearing of bridging veins that causes a typical subdural bleed. Choice B rationale Sports injury is an improbable cause of SDH in infants, as they are not involved in contact sports. Sports-related head trauma is a frequent cause of SDH in older children and adolescents, but the mechanism is irrelevant to the unique vulnerabilities of the infant skull and brain. Choice C rationale Motor vehicle accidents (MVA) can certainly cause SDH in infants due to significant impact, but they are not the most common cause. Non-accidental trauma (abusive head trauma) is statistically the leading cause of SDH in this age group, followed by the relatively less forceful trauma of a difficult delivery. Choice D rationale Birth trauma, specifically the forces exerted during delivery, especially difficult or assisted ones, can lead to the stretching and tearing of the delicate bridging veins that cross the subdural space, resulting in a SDH. The infant's brain is pliable, and the skull bones are mobile, making this mechanism a common cause of SDH in the neonatal period.