Outcome of infants with inflicted traumatic brain injury (shaken baby syndrome) in Estonia.
This is a population-based prospective study to identify the long-term outcome of children with inflicted traumatic brain injury (ITBI). Twenty-two survivors were identified and followed up. Only 2 of 22 had no developmental problems at follow-up, 20 of 22 children were having different developmental problems, among them 3 of 22 were severely handicapped. Psychological tests passed 17 of 22, 5 did not pass due to severe handicap (3 children) or were too young (2 patients). Epilepsy was found in 7 of 22, being intractable in 3 cases. Serious motor problems were identified in 5 of 22. Ophthalmologic problems were found in 4 of 22. The most important predictor of adverse outcome was young age at the time of the insult.


CONCLUSIONS
the outcome of these potentially healthy children is poor. The key question is prevention. Health care professionals should be more concerned about these problems.
Talvik
Inga
I
Children's Clinic of Tartu University Hospital, Tartu, Estonia. inga.talvik@kliinikum.ee
Männamaa
Mairi
M
Jüri
Piret
P
Leito
Kaja
K
Põder
Haide
H
Hämarik
Malle
M
Kool
Pille
P
Talvik
Tiina
T
D000367:Age Factors; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002658:Developmental Disabilities / Q000209:etiology*; D004957:Estonia / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D023261:Glasgow Outcome Scale; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007361:Intelligence Tests / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008297:Male; D011379:Prognosis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D038642:Shaken Baby Syndrome / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D016019:Survival Analysis; D016896:Treatment Outcome