Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 25, 2026
Assessing Changes in Synaptic Plasticity Using an Awake Closed-Head Injury Model of Mild Traumatic Brain Injury
Published on: January 20, 2023
Post-traumatic syndrome after minor head injury cannot be predicted by neurological investigations
Rudolf Korinthenberg1, Jochen Schreck, Jürgen Weser
1Division of Neuropaediatrics and Muscular Diseases, Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, University Hospital, Mathildenstrassw 1, D-79106 Freiburg, Germany. rudokori@kikli.ukl.uni-freiburg.de
Insights
Post-traumatic syndrome in children with minor head injuries is common but not linked to neurological or EEG changes. Focus on patient counseling over routine EEG for mild head trauma.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Neurology
- Neuropsychology
- Trauma Care
Background:
- Minor head injuries are common in children, often leading to persistent post-traumatic symptoms.
- Understanding the predictive factors for post-traumatic syndrome is crucial for effective management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify predictive factors for post-traumatic syndrome in children following minor head injury.
- To evaluate the role of neurological, electroencephalographic, and psychological factors.
Main Methods:
- Prospective study of 98 children (aged 3-13) with minor head injury.
- Neurological, electroencephalographic (EEG), and psychological assessments within 24 hours and 4-6 weeks post-trauma.
- Inclusion criteria: minimal or no loss of consciousness, no severe neurological deficits.
Main Results:
- 23% of children experienced persistent post-traumatic complaints (headache, fatigue, sleep issues, anxiety).
- These symptoms did not correlate with initial or follow-up neurological or EEG findings.
- Abnormal EEG findings were common acutely but did not predict long-term symptoms.
Conclusions:
- Post-traumatic syndrome after mild head injury in children appears unrelated to detectable central nervous system injury.
- Routine EEG is not recommended for mild head injuries; parent and patient counseling is advised.
- Further research may explore non-neurological factors contributing to persistent symptoms.
Abstract:
The aim of this study is to investigate predictive factors of post-traumatic syndrome in children with minor head injury. Prospective neurological, electroencephalographic and psychological investigations were performed in 98 children aged 3-13 years within 24 h after the trauma and 4-6 weeks later. Inclusion criteria for mild head injury were unconsciousness <10 min or none at all, lack of overt neurological symptoms and other complications requiring intensive care. Twenty-six of the children had been unconscious for a short period. Ten had suffered a skull fracture. Within the first 24 h, nearly all children reported acute symptoms of concussion and 64 of 98 showed abnormal EEG findings. After 4-6 weeks, 23 of 98 still exhibited post-traumatic complaints with headache, fatigue, sleep disturbances, anxiety and affect instability. Such post-traumatic symptoms did not correlate with somatic, neurological or electroencephalographic findings observed immediately after the injury or at the follow-up investigation. As opposed to the situation in more severe head trauma, post-traumatic syndrome after minor head injury in children is apparently not due to central nervous injury detectable by neurological examination or electroencephalography. Irrespective of the necessity of neuroradiological investigations and repeated EEGs in more severe and complicated head trauma, we discourage the routine EEG examination in very slight head injury and instead rather recommend parent and patient counselling.
