Traumatic brain injury in children and adolescents: Psychiatric disorders in the second three months

Author(s): Lindgren, S. D., Robin, D. A., Smith, W. L., Sato, Y., Mattheis, P. J., Castillo, C. S., Stierwalt, J. A. G.

Journal/Book: J Nerv Ment Dis. 1997; 185: 351 West Camden St, Baltimore, MD 21201-2436. Williams & Wilkins. 394-401.

Abstract: Psychiatric disorders may be common after traumatic brain injury (TBI) in children, yet there is a dearth of prospective studies examining this problem. Fifty children aged 6 to 14, hospitalized after TBI, were assessed soon after TBI regarding preinjury psychiatric, behavioral, adaptive, and family functioning, family psychiatric history status and injury severity. The outcome measure was the presence of a ''novel'' psychiatric disorder (not present before the injury) during the second 3 months after the injury. Forty-two subjects were reassessed at 6 months. Severity of injury, family psychiatric history, and family function predicted a novel psychiatric disorder. Among children suffering a mild/moderate injury, those with preinjury lifetime psychiatric disorders were no longer (as they had been in the first 3 months) at higher risk than those without such a lifetime history. Thus, there appeared to be children, identifiable through clinical assessment, at increased risk for novel psychiatric disorders after TBI.

Note: Article Max JE, Univ Iowa Hosp & Clin, Dept Psychiat, 1876 Jpp, Iowa City,IA 52242 USA

Keyword(s): RELIABILITY; SCALE

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