Are the symptoms and severity of head injury predictive of clinical findings three months later?
OBJECTIVE
To describe symptoms and functional disabilities 3 mo after a minimal, mild or moderate head injury in children, and to analyse relationships between these and initial symptoms and management documented at the time of the injury.


METHODS
The sample consisted of all children (0-15 y) admitted to an emergency department during a 1-mo period with a history of head injury. Data were collected from the medical records at the time of the injury, and questionnaires about symptoms/change and functional problems 3 mo after the injury.


RESULTS
Symptoms and functional problems were reported in 35% of the children 3 mo after a head injury. Documented altered consciousness (in children less than 5 y) and disorientation (in children 5 y of age or older) at the emergency department were correlated with changes in behaviour at 3 mo. The initial duration of unconsciousness was not predictive of subsequent behaviour.


CONCLUSIONS
The difficulties in predicting outcomes in head-injured children, especially younger ones, indicate the need for a follow-up appointment in order to identify children with special needs. Further studies are needed regarding the early signs and symptoms in different age groups.
Falk
Ann-Charlotte
AC
Department of Woman and Child Health, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden. ann-charlotte.falk@karolinska.se
Cederfjäll
Claes
C
Von Wendt
Lennart
L
Klang
Birgitta
B
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002653:Child Behavior Disorders / Q000209:etiology; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003221:Confusion / Q000209:etiology*; D006259:Craniocerebral Trauma / Q000145:classification* / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D015601:Injury Severity Score; D038801:International Classification of Diseases; D008297:Male; D013548:Sweden