Recovery in memory function in the first year following TBI in children.
OBJECTIVE
To examine memory skills, at acute, 6- and 12-monthly stages, following childhood traumatic brain injury (TBI).


METHODS
Prospective, longitudinal, between-group design, comparing pre-injury and postinjury intellectual and memory measures, across three levels of injury severity.


METHODS
Investigation of memory skills in a group of 76 children who had sustained a mild, moderate or severe TBI. Specific tests were used to measure immediate and short-term memory, and more complex multi-trial learning.


RESULTS
The severe TBI group exhibited greater deficits on memory tasks, irrespective of modality, in the acute, 6- and 12-month post-injury stages, in comparison to mild and moderate TBI groups. Performance was dependent on both injury severity and task demands.


CONCLUSIONS
Memory difficulties are present during the acute, 6- and 12-months following childhood TBI. With a clearer understanding of the memory deficits following TBI, appropriate strategies can be taught and interventions implemented for these children.
Catroppa
Cathy
C
Department of Psychology, Royal Children's Hospital, Flemington Road, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia. catroppc@cryptic.rch.unimelb.edu.au
Anderson
Vicki
V
D000647:Amnesia / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology; D001921:Brain / Q000503:physiopathology; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D015600:Glasgow Coma Scale; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008570:Memory, Short-Term / Q000502:physiology; D011939:Mental Recall / Q000502:physiology*; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D014706:Verbal Learning / Q000502:physiology