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Neurobehavioral sequelae of minor head injuries in children
M Y Farmer1, H S Singer, E D Mellits
1Department of Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Md.
Insights
Minor head injuries in children can cause temporary behavioral changes like irritability and sleep issues. These neurobehavioral sequelae are common but usually resolve quickly, requiring parental awareness.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric neurology
- Child psychology
- Trauma care
Background:
- The long-term effects of minor head injuries in children are not well understood.
- Previous studies have yielded conflicting results regarding neurobehavioral sequelae.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the incidence and nature of behavioral symptoms following minor head injury in children.
- To compare these symptoms with those observed in children with non-head trauma.
Main Methods:
- A comparative study involving 247 children with mild head injuries and 280 children with other trauma.
- Serial telephone interviews were conducted to collect data on behavioral symptoms.
Main Results:
- Irritability, clinging behavior, and sleep disturbances were frequent in both groups.
- Headaches were more common in the head-trauma group.
- Nearly all reported symptoms were transient.
Conclusions:
- Minor head injuries in children are associated with a high incidence of brief behavioral sequelae.
- Healthcare providers should inform parents about the potential for temporary functional morbidity after mild head trauma.
Abstract:
The incidence of neurobehavioral sequelae in children who have sustained minor head injury is controversial. Following an emergency room visit, behavioral symptoms in 247 children with mild head injuries were compared to those in 280 children with trauma to other regions of the body. Serial telephone interviews showed that complaints of irritability, clinging behavior and sleep disturbances were common in both groups, though headaches were a more frequent problem in the head-trauma patients. Virtually all symptoms were transient. Our results demonstrate a high incidence of behavioral sequelae in children after minor head injury and suggest that physicians should counsel parents about this brief functional morbidity.