A neuropsychological approach in a paediatric acquired brain injury unit under the public health system
S Cámara Barrio1, B Esteso Orduña1, M T Vara Arias2
1Unidad de Daño Cerebral Adquirido, Unidad de Neuropsicología Clínica, Servicio de Psiquiatría y Psicología, Hospital Universitario Niño Jesús, Madrid, España.
Insights
Paediatric acquired brain injury (ABI) treatment improved cognitive and developmental scores. Neuropsychological rehabilitation and family support are key for better outcomes in children with ABI.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Pediatrics
- Rehabilitation Medicine
Background:
- Paediatric acquired brain injury (ABI) significantly impacts cognitive function, behavior, and child development.
- The ABI unit at Hospital Infantil Universitario Niño Jesús is a pioneering facility in Spain's public health system, offering comprehensive care for these children and their families.
Purpose of the Study:
- To detail the methodology employed in treating paediatric patients with ABI and their families.
- To characterize the clinical profiles of treated patients.
- To evaluate the treatment outcomes for children experiencing acquired brain injuries.
Main Methods:
- Fifty-three patients, aged 3 months to 16.5 years, were treated for conditions including brain tumors, stroke, traumatic brain injury, epilepsy surgery complications, and hypoxia.
- Comprehensive evaluations were conducted at admission and discharge.
- Treatment plans were individualized based on patient age, condition severity, and specific deficits. Family support included individual and group therapy.
Main Results:
- Older age correlated with enhanced cognitive recovery and reduced treatment duration.
- Initial cognitive and developmental quotients varied by condition, with hypoxia and encephalitis indicating greater severity.
- Significant improvements were observed in intelligence quotient, developmental quotient, visual memory, and attention scores post-treatment.
Conclusions:
- Neuropsychological rehabilitation programs are essential components of care for paediatric ABI.
- Providing emotional support to families facilitates their active involvement in the child's recovery process.
- Integrated care models are crucial for optimizing outcomes in paediatric acquired brain injury.
Introduction:
Paediatric acquired brain injury (ABI) causes cognitive and behavioural difficulties and alters the course of child development. The ABI unit at Hospital Infantil Universitario Niño Jesús is the first within the public Spanish health system to provide comprehensive coverage to these patients and their families.
Objective:
This study aims to show the working methodology followed with patients and their families, and to describe the clinical characteristics of the patients treated and the outcomes of treatment.
Patients:
Fifty-three patients aged between three months and 16 and a half years received treatment. The conditions treated were brain tumours, stroke, traumatic brain injury, damage secondary to epilepsy surgery, and hypoxia.
Methods:
All patients were evaluated at admission and at discharge. Treatments were adapted to each patient's difficulties and their severity, as well as to the patient's age. Families received individual and group therapy.
Results:
Older age was associated with better cognitive recovery and shorter duration of treatment. Different conditions show differential impact on intelligence quotient and developmental quotient scores at the beginning of treatment, with hypoxia and encephalitis being associated with greatest severity. Intelligence quotient and developmental quotient scores and visual memory and attention scores at discharge improved significantly after the faceted neuropsychological treatment with respect to scores registered at admission.
Conclusions:
The care of patients with ABI should include neuropsychological rehabilitation programmes and provide emotional support to the family so that they may actively participate in the recovery of the child or adolescent.
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