Predicting longitudinal patterns of functional deficits in children with traumatic brain injury.
Longitudinal patterns of functional deficits were investigated in 37 children with severe traumatic brain injury (TBI), 40 children with moderate TBI, and 44 children with orthopedic injuries. They were from 6 to 12 years of age when injured. Their neuropsychological, behavioral, adaptive, and academic functioning were assessed at 6 months, 12 months, and 3-5 years postinjury. Functional deficits (<10th percentile for age) were identified within each outcome domain at each occasion. Children were classified into 4 a priori longitudinal patterns of outcomes within domains (i.e., no deficits, improvement, deterioration, persistent deficits). In multinomial logistic regression analyses, severe TBI predicted an increased likelihood of persistent deficits in all outcome domains, as well as deterioration in behavioral functioning and improvement in neuropsychological, adaptive, and academic functioning. Severe TBI also predicted a greater total number of functional deficits across domains at each occasion. However, many children with severe TBI showed no deficits from 6 months to 4 years postinjury in 1 or more outcome domains. The findings help clarify the course of recovery for individual children following TBI.
Fay
Taryn B
TB
Department of Psychology, The Ohio State University, OH, USA.
Yeates
Keith Owen
KO
Wade
Shari L
SL
Drotar
Dennis
D
Stancin
Terry
T
Taylor
H Gerry
HG
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D002648:Child; D002652:Child Behavior; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D009141:Musculoskeletal System / Q000293:injuries*; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D011597:Psychomotor Performance; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000209:etiology; D013997:Time Factors