title: Glasgow Coma Scale as a predictor for hemocoagulative disorders after blunt pediatric traumatic brain injury.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Coagulopathy is a complication of traumatic brain injury and its presence after injury has been identified as a risk factor for prognosis. It was our aim to determine whether neurologic findings reflected by Glasgow Coma Scale at initial resuscitation can predict hemocoagulative disorders resulting from traumatic brain injury that may aggravate clinical sequelae and outcome in children.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective analysis of 200 datasets from children with blunt, isolated traumatic brain injury documented in the Trauma Registry of the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Unfallchirurgie was conducted. Inclusion criteria were primary admission, age <14 yrs, and sustained isolated blunt traumatic brain injury.
  
  
  METHODS
  Trauma Registry of the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Unfallchirurgie-affiliated trauma centers in Germany.
  
  
  METHODS
  : Two hundred datasets of children (age <14 yrs) with blunt isolated traumatic brain injury were analyzed: children were subdivided into two groups according to Glasgow Coma Scale at the scene (Glasgow Coma Scale ≤ 8 vs. Glasgow Coma Scale >8) and reviewed for coagulation abnormalities upon emergency room admission and outcome.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fifty-one percent (n = 102 of 200) of children had Glasgow Coma Scale >8 and 49% (n = 98 of 200) had Glasgow Coma Scale ≤ 8 at the scene. The incidence of coagulopathy at admission was higher in children with Glasgow Coma Scale ≤ 8 compared to children with Glasgow Coma Scale >8: 44% (n = 31 of 71) vs. 14% (n = 11 of 79) (p < .001). Multivariate logistic regression revealed that Glasgow Coma Scale ≤ 8 at scene was associated with coagulopathy at admission (odds ratio 3.378, p = .009) and stepwise regression identified Glasgow Coma Scale ≤ 8 as an independent risk factor for coagulopathy. Mortality in children with Glasgow Coma Scale ≤ 8 at scene was substantially higher with the presence of coagulation abnormalities at admission compared to children in which coagulopathy was absent (51.6%, n = 16 of 31 vs. 5% n = 2 of 40).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Glasgow Coma Scale ≤ 8 at scene in children with isolated traumatic brain injury is associated with increased risk for coagulopathy and mortality. These results may guide laboratory testing, management, and blood bank resources in acute pediatric trauma care.
authors.affiliation: Department of Trauma and Orthopedic Surgery, University of Witten/Herdecke, Cologne-Merheim Medical Centre, Cologne, Germany.
authors.forename: Sigune
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Peiniger
authors.forename: Ulrike
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Nienaber
authors.forename: Rolf
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Lefering
authors.forename: Maximilian
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Braun
authors.forename: Arasch
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Wafaisade
authors.forename: Matthew A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Borgman
authors.forename: Philip C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Spinella
authors.forename: Marc
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Maegele
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001778:Blood Coagulation Disorders / Q000209:etiology* / Q000401:mortality; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000150:complications* / Q000401:mortality; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D015600:Glasgow Coma Scale; D016489:Head Injuries, Closed / Q000150:complications* / Q000401:mortality; D017052:Hospital Mortality; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D012042:Registries; D012189:Retrospective Studies