Prevention of traumatic headache, dizziness and fatigue with creatine administration. A pilot study.
OBJECTIVE
The complex pathobiology of traumatic brain injury (TBI) offers numerous targets for potential neuroprotective agents. We evaluate the clinical benefit after creatine (Cr) administration in children and adolescents.


METHODS
A prospective, randomized, comparative, open- labelled pilot study of the possible neuroprotective effect of Cr was carried out on 39 children and adolescents, aged between 1 and 18 years of age, with TBI. The Cr was administered for 6 months, at a dose of 0.4 g/kg in an oral suspension form every day. For categorical variables, we used the Chi-square test to identify differences between controls and cases. Statistical significance was defined as a p-value <0.05 and not statistically significant if p-value >0.1.


RESULTS
The administration of Cr to children and adolescents with TBI improved results in several parameters, including duration of post traumatic amnesia (PTA), duration of intubation, intensive care unit stay. Significant improvement was recorded in the categories of headache (p<0.001), dizziness (p=0.005) and fatigue (p<0.001), aspects in all patients. No side effects were seen due to Cr administration.


CONCLUSIONS
More specific examinations including brain spectroscopy for in vivo evaluation of Cr can be done, in order to draw conclusions for the optimal duration and manner of Cr supply, as well as its possible role for the prevention of TBI complications, in double blind studies.
Sakellaris
George
G
Department of Paediatric Surgery, University Hospital of Heraklio, Greece. gsakell@mycosmos.gr
Nasis
George
G
Kotsiou
Maria
M
Tamiolaki
Maria
M
Charissis
Giorgos
G
Evangeliou
Athanasios
A
D000293:Adolescent; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000150:complications; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003401:Creatine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004244:Dizziness / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005221:Fatigue / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007902:Length of Stay; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D051298:Post-Traumatic Headache / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D003401:Creatine