Rehabilitation of children with traumatic brain injury: descriptive analysis of a nationwide sample using the WeeFIM.
OBJECTIVE
To describe functional capability at admission and discharge of children with traumatic brain injury (TBI) in rehabilitation settings.


METHODS
Descriptive analysis.


METHODS
Inpatient pediatric rehabilitation hospitals in the United States.


METHODS
Children (N=3815) in 56 pediatric inpatient rehabilitation facilities who were discharged during 1999 to 2001.


METHODS
Not applicable.


METHODS
Admission and discharge WeeFIM scores.


RESULTS
Admission and discharge WeeFIM scores correlated positively with age at admission, time from injury to rehabilitation admission, and length of stay (LOS). Higher admission WeeFIM scores correlated with shorter LOS, shorter time from injury to admission to rehabilitation, and higher discharge WeeFIM scores.


CONCLUSIONS
Children with TBI demonstrated significant improvement in functional measures during rehabilitation. Discharge function and LOS correlated with admission severity, with children who had higher functional status and shorter time between injury and rehabilitation care having higher discharge function and shorter LOS.
Rice
Sydney A
SA
Department of Pediatrics, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, USA.
Blackman
James A
JA
Braun
Susan
S
Linn
Richard T
RT
Granger
Carl V
CV
Wagner
Douglas P
DP
D000293:Adolescent; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D020127:Recovery of Function; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult