title: Cognitive and adaptive functioning after severe TBI in school-aged children.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Persistent cognitive and behavioural deficits have been documented in children suffering severe TBI. The aim of the present study was to examine the cognitive and adaptive profile of children of school age with severe TBI.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study selected 118 patients and divided them into three groups according to the severity of their clinical-functional picture. All the patients received a functional assessment using the Wee-FIM. Subjects with reduced responsiveness were evaluated by LOCFAS. Last, the cognitive profile children with a better recovery were described with WISC-III and Leiter-R and their adaptive behaviour with VABS.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Group 1 (n = 77) showed a borderline cognitive level with a disharmonious profile between VIQ and PIQ, significant deficits in the Processing Speed and Perceptual Organization Indices, lastly specific adaptive behavioural deficits. Length of coma correlated with their cognitive and adaptive profile. Group 2 (n = 14) included subjects with severe language and/or motor disabilities presenting with a partial cognitive functioning level moderately impaired. Group 3 (n = 27) included patients with reduced responsiveness (LOCFAS ≤ 3).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In the first 12 months following severe TBI, 22.9% children stayed in minimal responsiveness, 11.9% showed debilitating language and motor deficits and 65.2% showed a more favourable cognitive recovery and could be assessed by WISC-III.
authors.affiliation: Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico, E. Medea, La Nostra Famiglia, Via don Luigi Monza 20, Bosisio Parini (Lecco), Italy.
authors.forename: Monica
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Recla
authors.forename: Alessandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bardoni
authors.forename: Susanna
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Galbiati
authors.forename: Valentina
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Pastore
authors.forename: Chiara
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Dominici
authors.forename: Alessandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tavano
authors.forename: Federica
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Locatelli
authors.forename: Sandra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Strazzer
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D017668:Age of Onset; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D002648:Child; D002653:Child Behavior Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D003128:Coma / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D056344:Executive Function; D005260:Female; D015600:Glasgow Coma Scale; D006801:Humans; D007360:Intelligence; D007361:Intelligence Tests; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D007859:Learning Disabilities / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D008297:Male; D008568:Memory; D009048:Motor Skills; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011379:Prognosis; D011597:Psychomotor Performance; D011788:Quality of Life; D015599:Trauma Severity Indices