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, Spain.
Insights
Paediatric acquired brain injury (ABI) treatment significantly improved cognitive and developmental outcomes. Neuropsychological rehabilitation and family support are crucial for children with ABI.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Psychology
- Rehabilitation Medicine
Background:
- Paediatric acquired brain injury (ABI) presents significant cognitive and behavioral challenges, impacting child development.
- The ABI unit at Hospital Infantil Universitario Niño Jesús is a pioneering facility in Spain's public health system for comprehensive paediatric ABI care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To detail the methodology used in treating paediatric patients with ABI and their families.
- To characterize the clinical profiles of treated patients and evaluate treatment outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Fifty-three patients (3 months to 16.5 years) with conditions including brain tumors, stroke, TBI, epilepsy surgery complications, and hypoxia were treated.
- Individualized treatments based on patient age and condition severity, with pre- and post-treatment evaluations.
- Families received integrated individual and group therapy support.
Main Results:
- Older age correlated with improved cognitive recovery and shorter 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 post-treatment.
Conclusions:
- Comprehensive care for paediatric ABI necessitates robust neuropsychological rehabilitation programs.
- Active family participation, supported by emotional and therapeutic resources, is vital for successful child and adolescent recovery.
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 3 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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