Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 17, 2026

A Pediatric Concussion Model in Mice: Closed Head Injury with Long-Term Disorders (CHILD)
07:01

A Pediatric Concussion Model in Mice: Closed Head Injury with Long-Term Disorders (CHILD)

Published on: February 7, 2025

Severe brain injuries in children

A V Ciurea1, T Coman, L Roşu

  • 1Neurosurgical Clinic, University Emergency Hospital "Bagdasar Arseni", Bucharest, Romania. rsn@bagdasar-arseni.ro

Acta Neurochirurgica. Supplement
|July 1, 2005
PubMed

Insights

Severe brain injuries (SBI) in children are concerning, with high ICP and low Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) scores indicating poor prognosis. Diffuse Axonal Injury (DAI) on MRI is also a significant negative prognostic factor.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Neurology
  • Trauma Surgery
  • Neurocritical Care

Background:

  • Severe brain injuries (SBI) in children present significant management challenges.
  • Prognostic factors for pediatric SBI require further elucidation to optimize patient outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify key prognostic factors in pediatric severe brain injuries.
  • To correlate clinical and imaging findings with outcomes in children with SBI.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of 85 pediatric SBI cases (GCS ≤ 8).
  • Evaluation of Intracranial Pressure (ICP), admission Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), CT/MRI findings, and Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS).

Main Results:

  • Overall mortality rate of 25.9% observed.
  • Elevated ICP (≥ 20 mmHg) and low admission GCS were significant negative prognostic indicators.
  • Diffuse Axonal Injury (DAI) identified on MRI correlated with poorer outcomes.

Conclusions:

  • ICP, GCS on admission, and DAI on MRI are critical prognostic factors in pediatric SBI.
  • Politrauma context exacerbates SBI prognosis in children.
  • Prehospital care and transport conditions may influence admission GCS and overall prognosis.

More Related Videos

Assessing Changes in Synaptic Plasticity Using an Awake Closed-Head Injury Model of Mild Traumatic Brain Injury09:49

Assessing Changes in Synaptic Plasticity Using an Awake Closed-Head Injury Model of Mild Traumatic Brain Injury

Published on: January 20, 2023

Murine Model of Controlled Cortical Impact for the Induction of Traumatic Brain Injury05:01

Murine Model of Controlled Cortical Impact for the Induction of Traumatic Brain Injury

Published on: August 16, 2019

Related Concept Videos

Traumatic Brain Injury l: Introduction01:28

Traumatic Brain Injury l: Introduction

DefinitionTraumatic brain injury, or TBI, is a disturbance of normal brain function induced by an external mechanical force, such as a direct blow to the head or a penetrating injury. It can affect both brain structure and function, producing a wide range of clinical outcomes. TBI is a heterogeneous condition, meaning its effects may differ based on the type, location, and severity of the injury.Basis of ClassificationTBI is classified based on severity, injury mechanism, or pathophysiology. In...
Bacterial Meningitis I: Introduction01:22

Bacterial Meningitis I: Introduction

Bacterial meningitis is a severe, life-threatening inflammation of the meninges, particularly the pia mater and arachnoid mater, affecting the subarachnoid space, ventricles, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). If untreated, it can lead to significant neurological complications or death.Causative AgentsCommon pathogens vary with age and immune status. In adults, major organisms include Streptococcus pneumoniae, Neisseria meningitidis, and Haemophilus influenzae. Streptococcus agalactiae (group B...
Cerebral Edema ll: Pathophysiology01:22

Cerebral Edema ll: Pathophysiology

Vasogenic edema is a major form of cerebral edema characterized by abnormal accumulation of fluid in the brain’s extracellular space due to disruption of the blood–brain barrier (BBB). The BBB is a specialized structure composed of endothelial cells connected by tight junctions, supported by astrocytic endfeet and a basement membrane. Under normal conditions, it tightly regulates the movement of ions, proteins, and solutes between the bloodstream and brain parenchyma. When this barrier loses...
Brain Abscess l: Introduction01:26

Brain Abscess l: Introduction

A brain abscess is a focal, intracerebral infection characterized by a localized collection of pus within the brain parenchyma, resulting from microbial invasion and the body’s inflammatory response. It progresses through stages: early and late cerebritis, followed by early and late capsule formation, reflecting tissue destruction, immune response, and eventual encapsulation.Etiology and PathogenesisCausative organisms vary with source and host factors, often involving polymicrobial infections,...
Increased Intracranial Pressure ll: Pathophysiology01:29

Increased Intracranial Pressure ll: Pathophysiology

Increased intracranial pressure (ICP) refers to a potentially life-threatening rise in pressure inside the skull. This usually happens when there is a major change in the volume of brain tissue, blood, or cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) — the three components inside the skull. According to the Monro-Kellie doctrine, if the volume of one component increases, the volumes of the other components must decrease to maintain normal pressure. If this does not happen, ICP rises.The process often begins with...
Increased Intracranial Pressure l: Introduction01:14

Increased Intracranial Pressure l: Introduction

Intracranial hypertension is a sustained elevation of intracranial pressure (ICP) above 22 mm Hg. In supine adults, normal ICP is ~7–15 mm Hg.The rigid, nonexpandable cranium contains three components—brain tissue, blood, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)—that total ~1,700 mL in a typical adult: 1,400 mL brain (~80%), 150 mL blood (~10%), and 150 mL CSF (~10%). According to the Monro–Kellie doctrine, total intracranial volume is effectively fixed. When one component expands, CSF and venous blood...