In this paper we are reporting a retrospective study of patients under 18 years 
of age managed at the Los Angeles County/University of Southern California 
Medical Center from January 1979 through December 1987 with the diagnosis of 
basilar skull fracture. Sixty-two patients with basilar skull fractures were 
admitted during that 7 1/2 year period. The most common etiology was pedestrain 
versus vehicle accidents (42%), followed by falls (27%), vehicle accidents 
(23%), and being hit by an object (8%). The most common physical findings were 
hemotympanum (58%) and bleeding in the ear canals (47%). Thirty-four percent of 
the patients complained of hearing loss. Cerebrospinal fluid otorrhea was noted 
in 16 patients (26%), while only 1 patient had cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea. 
Facial nerve paralysis was present in 8 patients (13%). Vestibular symptoms were 
rare. Sixty-three percent of the patients had the diagnosis confirmed by 
radiography. The clinical presentation, complications, management and outcome of 
basilar skull fractures in the pediatric population are discussed.