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Pre-school traumatic brain injury and its impact on social development at 8 years of age

Lyn K Sonnenberg1, Annie Dupuis, Peter G Rumney

  • 1Division of NeuroDevelopmental/NeuroMotor Paediatrics, Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

Brain Injury
|June 16, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Younger children with moderate-to-severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) experience worse social and cognitive outcomes. Early TBI significantly impacts long-term development and social functioning in preschool-aged children.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Neurology
  • Neuroscience
  • Developmental Psychology

Background:

  • Moderate-to-severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) in preschool-aged children presents unique challenges.
  • Early childhood brain development is particularly vulnerable to injury.
  • Understanding long-term outcomes is crucial for intervention and support.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare social, cognitive, physical, and emotional outcomes at age 8 between younger (<4 years) and older (4-6 years) preschool children with moderate-to-severe TBI.
  • To determine the prevalence and severity of social impairment in this cohort at age 8.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective review of preschool children (age <6 years) with moderate-to-severe TBI (1995-2009).
  • Assessment of social, cognitive, physical, and emotional outcomes at age 8 using the Mayo-Portland Adaptability Inventory-Paediatric.
  • Comparison of outcomes between younger (<4 years) and older (4-6 years) injury groups.

Main Results:

  • Younger preschoolers (mean age 2.6 years) showed significantly poorer social outcomes (p=0.04) and cognitive abilities (p=0.006) compared to older preschoolers (mean age 5.0 years).
  • A trend towards poorer physical outcomes was observed in the younger group (p=0.1), with no significant difference in emotional outcomes (p=0.2).
  • At age 8, 19/93 children had normal social function, while 56/93 exhibited mild to severe social impairment.

Conclusions:

  • Children sustaining moderate-to-severe TBI before age 4 experience poorer long-term social, cognitive, and physical outcomes.
  • Age at injury is a critical factor influencing developmental trajectories after TBI in early childhood.
  • Significant social impairment is common in preschool-aged TBI survivors by age 8.
Abstract

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