Which group of patients is primarily at risk of developing hemorrhagic shock due to a closed head injury?

Infants are primarily at risk of developing hemorrhagic shock due to a closed head injury for several reasons. Their physiological responses to trauma differ significantly from those of older children and adults. Infants have a much smaller blood volume relative to their body size, which means that even a small amount of blood loss can lead to rapid onset of shock.

Additionally, the anatomy of an infant's skull and their developing brain make them particularly vulnerable to head injuries. An infant's skull is softer and more pliable than that of an adult, which can lead to greater risk of internal bleeding from smaller impacts. The symptoms of traumatic brain injury can also be less apparent in infants, making it difficult to recognize the severity of their condition immediately.

The physiological resilience of infants to compensate for blood loss is significantly less developed than in older individuals. As a result, they can deteriorate more quickly when experiencing hemorrhagic shock, emphasizing the need for immediate and effective medical intervention in cases of closed head injuries.