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Updated: Jul 19, 2026
Controlled Cortical Impact Model for Traumatic Brain Injury
Published on: August 5, 2014
What About the Little Ones? Systematic Review of Cognitive and Behavioral Outcomes Following Early TBI
M Séguin1,2, C Gagner2, C Tuerk1,2
1Department of Psychology, University of Montréal, Québec, Canada.
Insights
Early traumatic brain injuries (TBI) in children under six can lead to lasting cognitive, behavioral, and developmental challenges. These effects are more severe with younger age and greater injury severity.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Psychology
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Early childhood is a critical developmental period.
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) before age six can disrupt development.
- Comprehensive synthesis of early TBI consequences is lacking.
Approach:
- Systematic review of 12,153 articles (1990-2019).
- Searched Medline, PsycNET, CINAHL, and PubMed.
- Included 43 studies on early TBI and child development.
Key Points:
- Early TBI is associated with cognitive, academic, behavioral, socio-affective, and adaptive difficulties.
- Younger age at injury, moderate-to-severe injury, and non-accidental mechanisms exacerbate negative outcomes.
- Brain disruption during early childhood significantly impacts development.
Conclusions:
- Children with early TBI face elevated risks for developmental impairments.
- Interventions and research must consider the unique vulnerabilities of early childhood.
- Further development of clinical management and prevention strategies is crucial.
Abstract:
There is increasing empirical focus on the effects of early traumatic brain injuries (TBI; i.e., before the age of six years) on child development, but this literature has never been synthetized comprehensively. This systematic review aimed to document the cognitive, academic, behavioral, socio-affective, and adaptive consequences of early TBI. Four databases (Medline, PsycNET, CINAHL, PubMed) were systematically searched from 1990 to 2019 using key terms pertaining to TBI and early childhood. Of 12, 153 articles identified in the initial search, 43 were included. Children who sustain early TBI are at-risk for a range of difficulties, which are generally worse when injury is sustained at a younger age, injury severity is moderate to severe, and injury mechanisms are non-accidental. Early childhood is a sensitive period for the emergence and development of new skills and behaviors, and brain disruption during this time is not benign. Research, clinical management, intervention, and prevention efforts should be further developed with consideration of the unique characteristics of the early childhood period.
