Abstract

Aims: To estimate the prognostic value of injury severity, location of event, and demographic parameters, for symptoms of pediatric traumatic head injury (THI) 4 years later.

Methods: Data were collected prospectively from Reykjavik City Hospital on all patients age 0–19 years, diagnosed with THI (n = 408) during one year. Information was collected on patient demographics, location of traumatic event, cause of injury, injury severity, and ICD-9 diagnosis. Injury severity was estimated according to the Head Injury Severity Scale (HISS). Four years post-injury, a questionnaire on late symptoms attributed to the THI was sent.

Results: Symptoms reported were more common among patients with moderate/severe THI than among others (p < 0.001). The event location had prognostic value (p < 0.05). Overall, 72% of patients with moderate/severe motor vehicle-related THI reported symptoms. There was a curvilinear age effect (p < 0.05). Symptoms were least frequent in the youngest age group, 0–4 years, and most frequent in the age group 5–14 years. Gender and urban/rural residence were not significantly related to symptoms.

Conclusions: Motor vehicle related moderate/severe THI resulted in a high rate of late symptoms. Location had a prognostic value. Patients with motor vehicle-related THI need special consideration regardless of injury severity.

Details

Title
The prognostic value of injury severity, location of event, and age at injury in pediatric traumatic head injuries
Author
Halldorsson, Jonas G; Flekkoy, Kjell M; Arnkelsson, Gudmundur B; Tomasson, Kristinn; Gudmundsson, Kristinn R; Arnarson, Eirikur Orn
Pages
405-412
Section
Original Research
Publication year
2008
Publication date
2008
Publisher
Taylor & Francis Ltd.
ISSN
1176-6328
e-ISSN
1178-2021
Source type
Scholarly Journal
Language of publication
English
ProQuest document ID
2222756798
Copyright
© 2008. This work is licensed under https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/ (the “License”). Notwithstanding the ProQuest Terms and Conditions, you may use this content in accordance with the terms of the License.