Head trauma in children, particularly as a consequence of abuse, is an important issue, and we support the need for interventions in this area. We would, however, like to clarify some potentially misleading information published in the article by Kaltner et al,1 regarding the incidence of abusive head trauma (AHT) in Queensland in relation to other serious childhood trauma, such as drowning and low-speed vehicle run-overs (LSVROs).

Kaltner et al estimated that the incidence rate (IR) for AHT (as defined by death or admission to hospital for greater than 24 h) among children aged 0–2 years in Queensland during 2005–2008 was 6.7 per 100 000 per annum. Kaltner argued that the IR for AHT was higher than that for drowning and LSVROs. However, the references used …