Children's brain injury: a postal follow-up of 525 children from one health region in the UK

Abstract

Primary objectives: To follow-up a population of children admitted to one Hospital Trust with traumatic brain injury (TBI), and compare outcomes following mild TBI with outcomes following moderate or severe TBI.

Research design: Population-based postal questionnaire survey.

Methods and procedures: Questionnaires were mailed to parents of all 974 surviving children on a register of paediatric TBI admissions, 525 completed questionnaires were returned (56.2%). Most children (419) had suffered mild TBI, 57 moderate, and 49 severe.

Main outcomes and results: Thirty per cent of parents received no information on post-injury symptoms, and clinical follow-up was limited. Statistically significant differences were observed between mild and moderate/severe groups for cognitive, social, emotional, and mobility problems. Nevertheless, approximately 20% of the mild group suffered from poor concentration, personality change and educational problems post-injury. Few schools (20%) made special provision for children returning after injury.

Conclusions: Children can have long-lasting and wide-ranging sequelae following TBI. Information should be routinely given to parents and schools after brain injury.