Traumatic brain injury in children and adolescents: Psychiatric disorders at two years

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

Journal/Book: J Amer Acad Child Adolesc Psy. 1997; 36: 351 West Camden St, Baltimore, MD 21201-2436. Williams & Wilkins. 1278-1285.

Abstract: Objective: To extend findings regarding predictive factors of psychiatric outcome from the first to the second year after traumatic brain injury (TBI) in children and adolescents. Method: Subjects were children aged 6 to 14 years at the time they were hospitalized after TBI. The study used a prospective follow-up design. Assessments of preinjury psychiatric, behavioral, adaptive functioning, family functioning and family psychiatric history status were conducted. Severity of injury was assessed by standard clinical scales and neuroimaging was analyzed. The outcome measure was the presence of a psychiatric disorder, not present before the injury (''novel''), during the second year after TBI. Results: Fifty subjects enrolled, and the analyses focused on 42 subjects followed at 24 months. Severity of injury, preinjury family function, and preinjury lifetime psychiatric history predicted the development of a ''novel'' psychiatric disorder present in the second year. Conclusion: These data suggest that there are children, identifiable through clinical assessment, at increased risk for ''novel'' psychiatric disorders in the second year after TBI.

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

Keyword(s): traumatic brain injury; children; adolescents; psychiatric disorder; HEAD-INJURY; RELIABILITY; SCALE; COMA

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