Prediction of neurobehavioral outcome 1-5 years post pediatric traumatic head injury.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the neurobehavioral status of children with traumatic head injury (THI) and to identify variables that predict outcome.


METHODS
Retrospective chart review, with follow-up 1-5 years after injury. Outcome predictor variables were identified through stepwise regression analysis.


METHODS
Level one trauma center and pediatric rehabilitation program.


METHODS
71 Children with THI, selected from a four-year series of consecutive admissions.


METHODS
Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales-Survey Edition.


RESULTS
Significant predictors of better neurobehavioral status at follow-up included absence of a premorbid learning problem (p <.01), older age at injury (p <.01), and normal pupillary response (p <.001) and higher cerebral perfusion pressure (p <.0001) during critical care management.


CONCLUSIONS
Neurobehavioral outcome after THI is influenced by premorbid psychosocial variables as well as by critical care management.
Psychology Service Mary Free Bed Hospital, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49503, USA.
H
H
Woodward
K
K
Winterhalther
J
J
Donders
R
R
Hackbarth
A
A
Kuldanek
D
D
Sanfilippo
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological / Q000502:physiology; D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior / Q000502:physiology*; D000367:Age Factors; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000502:physiology; D002560:Cerebrovascular Circulation / Q000502:physiology; D002648:Child; D002652:Child Behavior / Q000502:physiology*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006259:Craniocerebral Trauma / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology; D003422:Critical Care; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005544:Forecasting; D015600:Glasgow Coma Scale; D006801:Humans; D007427:Intracranial Pressure / Q000502:physiology; D007859:Learning Disabilities / Q000150:complications; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D011680:Pupil / Q000502:physiology; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012189:Retrospective Studies