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Published on: August 16, 2019
Advances in Understanding the Outcomes of Pediatric Traumatic Brain Injury: From Baby Steps to Bigger Leaps
Stacy J Suskauer1,2, Keith Owen Yeates1,2
1Author Affiliations: Departments of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation and Pediatrics, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland (Dr Suskauer); and Department of Psychology, Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, and Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada (Dr Yeates).
Insights
Progress in pediatric traumatic brain injury (TBI) research has been driven by longitudinal studies. Future research needs comparative trials and implementation science for better pediatric TBI care and outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Pediatric Medicine
- Rehabilitation Science
Background:
- Significant advancements in understanding pediatric traumatic brain injury (TBI) outcomes have occurred since 1986.
- Prospective, longitudinal cohort studies have been crucial in advancing knowledge on mild and moderate-to-severe pediatric TBI.
Purpose of the Study:
- To reflect on the progress in pediatric TBI research over the past 40 years.
- To highlight key conceptual and methodological innovations in the field.
- To identify remaining challenges and future research directions for improving pediatric TBI care.
Main Methods:
- Review of progress in pediatric TBI research since 1986.
- Highlighting the role of prospective, longitudinal cohort studies.
- Summarizing conceptual and methodological innovations and future challenges.
Main Results:
- Longitudinal cohort studies have significantly advanced the understanding of pediatric TBI outcomes.
- Research has spurred conceptual and methodological innovations in the field.
- Key challenges remain, including the need for comparative effectiveness and randomized controlled trials.
Conclusions:
- Further research is needed to determine effective interventions for pediatric TBI.
- Implementation science is essential to translate research findings into clinical practice.
- The ultimate goal is to enhance care and improve outcomes for children with TBI and their families.
Abstract:
This Special Communication reflects on progress in understanding the outcomes of pediatric traumatic brain injury (TBI) since the Journal of Head Trauma Rehabilitation special issue (volume 1, issue 4) on "head injury" in children appeared in 1986. We highlight the critical role that prospective, longitudinal cohort studies have played in advancing knowledge about both mild and moderate-severe pediatric TBI. We describe conceptual and methodological innovations that the past 40 years of research has spurred and summarize remaining challenges. These include the need for comparative effectiveness and randomized controlled trials to determine what interventions are effective, singly or in combination, as well as for implementation science to translate research into clinical practice, with the goal being to provide better care and improve outcomes for children with TBI and their families.
