title: Long-term outcome of medically confirmed and self-reported early traumatic brain injury in two nationwide samples.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess long-term effects of early traumatic brain injury (TBI) on mental health, cognition, behaviour and adjustment and to identify prognostic factors.
  
  
  METHODS
  A 1-year nationwide cohort of all 0-19 year old Icelandic children and adolescents diagnosed with TBI in 1992-1993 (n = 550) received a questionnaire with clinical outcome scales and questions on TBI and socio-economic status (SES) by mail ∼16 years post-injury. A control group (n = 1232), newly selected from the National Registry, received the same questionnaire. Non-respondents answered a shorter version by telephone. Overall participation was 67%.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Medically confirmed and self-reported TBI was reflected in worse outcome. Force of impact, number and severity of TBIs predicted poorer results. Parental SES and demographic factors had limited effects. Not reporting early, medically confirmed TBI did not exclude cognitive sequelae. In self-reported disability, absence of evaluation for compensation was not linked to outcome.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Clinical outcome was consistent with late complaints attributed to early TBI. TBI-related variables had greater prognostic value than other factors. Self-reporting of TBI sustained very early in life needs supplementary information from parents and medical records. More consistency in compensation evaluations following paediatric TBI is indicated.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine, University of Iceland, Reykjavik, Iceland. jonasgh@landspitali.is
authors.forename: Jonas G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Halldorsson
authors.forename: Gudmundur B
authors.initials: GB
authors.lastname: Arnkelsson
authors.forename: Kristinn
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Tomasson
authors.forename: Kjell M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Flekkoy
authors.forename: Hulda Bra
authors.initials: HB
authors.lastname: Magnadottir
authors.forename: Eirikur Orn
authors.initials: EO
authors.lastname: Arnarson
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D017677:Age Distribution; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D042241:Early Diagnosis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007055:Iceland / Q000453:epidemiology; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D008603:Mental Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010290:Parents; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies; D057566:Self Report; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D017678:Sex Distribution; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult