title: Traumatic brain injury in pediatric age group; predictors of outcome in Pediatric Intensive Care Unit.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine predictors for outcomes of traumatic brain injury (TBI) in infants and children younger than twelve years admitted to our pediatric intensive care units (PICU).
  
  
  METHODS
  This is a retrospective cohort study from 2004-5, done at the PICU of King Fahad Hofuf Hospital, Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia. One hundred and six patients with TBI; 65 boys and 41 girls ages 12 or under, with a mean age of 5.7 years, were included. Of them, 11.3% died (Deaths group), 11% survived with neurological deficits (NDgroup), and 77% survived with no neurological deficits (NND-group). The potential predictors for death or neurological deficits were examined.
  
  
  RESULTS
  83% of deaths had initial Glascow coma scale (GCS) of ≤ 4/15, 50% of ND had initial GCS ≤8 and 27% of NND had GCS < 12. The initial brain CT was abnormal in 92% of deaths and ND groups, but in only 37% of NND. Combined brain pathologies were found in 92% of deaths, 63% of ND and only in 5% of NND. Hypotension was seen in 67% of deaths, 17% ND and only in 1% of NND. Mechanical ventilation was required in all deaths and more than half of ND. Liver enzymes were high in 50% of deaths and 66% of ND but in only 20% of NND. Serum albumin was low in 33% of deaths, 42% of ND and only 1% NND.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Glasgow coma score, brain CT findings, combined brain pathologies, hypotension, high liver enzymes and low serum albumin predict outcome after TBI in pediatric age group.
authors.affiliation: Pediatric and Neurosurgery Departments, King Fahad Hofuf Hospital, KSA.
authors.forename: Hm
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kamal
authors.forename: Aa
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mardini
authors.forename: Bokhary Mm
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Aly