title: Preschool children with mild to moderate traumatic brain injury: an exploration of immediate and post-acute morbidity.
abstract: This study explored premorbid, neurocognitive, behavioral, and familial factors in preschoolers, ages 3-6, who experienced a mild to moderate traumatic brain injury (TBI). Twenty-nine children with TBI, 33 children with mild to moderate injuries to other body regions, and 34 non-injured children participated in the study. Neuropsychological assessments and behavioral measures were administered at the time of hospitalization and 6 months later. In comparison to the non-injury children, preschool-aged children with TBI had higher rates of premorbid behavior difficulties, lower premorbid cognitive functioning, and poorer development of pre-academic skills. In addition, parents of children with TBI reported greater situational issues and life stressors than parents of children in the non-injured group. Some neurocognitive recovery was evident in the TBI group, but no differences were recognized in behavioral and family measures at the 6-month follow-up. This study emphasizes the relative effects of premorbid characteristics in later practice of preschool children who sustain TBI.
authors.affiliation: University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic, 3811 O'Hara Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA. goldstrohmsl@upmc.edu
authors.forename: Sheri L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Goldstrohm
authors.forename: Sharon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Arffa
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D001526:Behavioral Symptoms / Q000209:etiology*; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D002648:Child; D002657:Child Development; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000209:etiology*; D003710:Demography; D002658:Developmental Disabilities / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D015600:Glasgow Coma Scale / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D007361:Intelligence Tests; D008297:Male; D009017:Morbidity; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013315:Stress, Psychological; D013997:Time Factors