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Updated: Aug 15, 2026
A Novel Model of Mild Traumatic Brain Injury for Juvenile Rats
Published on: December 8, 2014
Outcome of children with traumatic brain injury in rural Malaysia
N Kumaraswamy1, A Naziah, J Abdullah
1Psychology Division, Department of Psychiatry, Hospital University Science Malaysia, Kubang Kerian, Kelantan, 16150, Malaysia.
Insights
This study on pediatric neurotrauma in Malaysia found that midline shift, coma duration, and transport time significantly impact outcomes. Improvements in pediatric road traffic accident survivors were observed after six months of intensive care.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Neurotrauma
- Road Traffic Accidents
- Intensive Care Management
Background:
- Malaysia historically faced high crude accident rates, with many child victims requiring intensive neurosurgical care.
- Pediatric neurotrauma presents unique challenges in management and outcome assessment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To prospectively evaluate the outcomes of pediatric neurotrauma patients in rural Malaysia.
- To identify significant variables associated with good or bad outcomes following intensive therapy.
Main Methods:
- A prospective study of 36 pediatric neurotrauma patients in rural North East West Malaysia.
- Uniform intensive therapy followed by a 2-year follow-up period.
- Assessment using the modified pediatric Glasgow Coma Scale and revised Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children.
Main Results:
- Significant improvement in patient outcomes was observed after a six-month period.
- Midline shift, duration of coma, and duration of transport were identified as significant predictors of poor outcomes.
- Age, sex, admission Glasgow Coma Scale, and dominant lobe lesions did not correlate with good outcomes.
Conclusions:
- Aggressive intensive care management can lead to improved outcomes in pediatric neurotrauma patients.
- Early identification of prognostic indicators like midline shift is crucial for managing expectations and treatment strategies.
Abstract:
Malaysia had the second highest crude accident rate in the world until 1998. Most children who were involved in these road traffic accidents required intensive neurosurgical care management. We report a prospective study on 36 paediatric neurotrauma patients in rural North East West Malaysia who underwent uniform intensive therapy and were subsequently followed up over a period of 2 years. The modified paediatric Glasgow Coma Scale with support of the revised Wechlser Intelligence Scale for children was used to test the outcome of these children over a period of two years. All patients were managed aggressively in our intensive care as well as our high dependency units. Our results indicate that improvement in outcome is seen after a six month period. Midline shift, duration of coma and duration of transport were found to be significant variables associated with bad outcome. Other variables i.e. age, sex, Glasgow Coma Scale on admission and on site, and lesions of the dominant lobe were not found to be associated with good outcome in these patients.
