Intellectual, motor, and language sequelae following closed head injury in infants and preschoolers

Abstract

Examined cognitive and motor performance during the subacute stage of recovery and 8 months postinjury in 21 infants and preschoolers who sustained a closed head injury (CHI). Children sustaining severe CHI, who exhibited impaired consciousness for at least 1 day, were impaired on measures of intelligence, motor, expressive language, and receptive language functions on the baseline and follow-up evaluations relative to children with mild-moderate injuries. Irrespective of injury severity, motor and expressive language functions were the most vulnerable to the effects of CHI. Results are discussed in terms of the rate of development of cognitive functions.