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Updated: Feb 3, 2026
Controlled Cortical Impact Model for Traumatic Brain Injury
Published on: August 5, 2014
Pediatric traumatic brain injury and ocular injury
Ryan Gise1, Timothy Truong2, David M Poulsen1
1Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, Montefiore Medical Center/Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York.
Insights
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) often accompanies ocular injuries in pediatric trauma patients. Identifying demographic patterns can help pinpoint children at higher risk for TBI, enabling earlier diagnosis and treatment.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Traumatology
- Neuroscience
- Ophthalmology
Background:
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a significant cause of disability and mortality in children.
- Ocular injuries occurring with TBI can worsen outcomes and complicate rehabilitation in pediatric patients.
- Investigating the link between TBI and ocular injuries in pediatric major trauma is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the relationship between traumatic brain injury (TBI) and ocular injuries in pediatric patients admitted for major trauma.
- To identify demographic patterns associated with concomitant TBI and ocular injuries in children.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of pediatric trauma patient records from the National Trauma Data Bank (2008-2014).
- Analysis of patients with both ocular injury and traumatic brain injury (TBI).
Main Results:
- Out of 58,765 pediatric trauma patients with ocular injuries, 32,173 had TBI.
- Common injuries included eye contusions (39.1%) and orbital fractures (35.8%).
- Injury mechanisms and locations varied significantly by age and race/ethnicity, with distinct patterns for falls, motor vehicle trauma, and assaults.
Conclusions:
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is common in pediatric patients with ocular injuries and major trauma.
- Recognizing demographic patterns associated with TBI in these patients can aid in early identification and management.
- Consideration of TBI in children with major trauma and ocular injuries is essential for improved patient outcomes.
Purpose:
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a leading cause of pediatric disability and mortality. Together with sight-threatening ocular injuries, TBIs may lead to devastating consequences in developing children and complicate rehabilitation. We sought to investigate this relationship in pediatric patients admitted with major trauma.
Methods:
The records of pediatric patients admitted with ocular injury and concomitant TBI were reviewed retrospectively using the National Trauma Data Bank (2008-2014).
Results:
Of 58,765 pediatric patients admitted for trauma and also had ocular injuries, 32,173 were diagnosed with TBI. Mean patient age was 12.3 ± 7 years. Most were male (69.8%) and White (61.2%). The most frequent injuries were contusion of the eye/adnexa (39.1%) and orbital fractures (35.8%). The youngest age groups had greatest odds of falls in home locations, whereas older groups were more likely to suffer motor vehicle trauma as occupants (MVTO), struck by or against (SBA) injuries, and firearms injuries in street locations (P < 0.001). Blacks and Hispanics were most likely to suffer assault (P < 0.001) and Whites, unintentional (P < 0.001) and self-inflicted (P < 0.012) injury. Blacks were at a higher risk of firearms injury, Whites of MVTO, and Hispanics of motor vehicles as pedestrians (P < 0.001).
Conclusions:
TBI frequently is experienced by trauma patients with concomitant ocular injury and should be considered in children admitted with major trauma. Resultant demographic patterns may help identify patients that have a higher risk of TBI leading to earlier diagnosis and treatment.
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