Traumatic Brain Injury in Children Ages 0-5 Years and Associations With Select Health Conditions and Services

Young children have the highest rate of emergency department visits for traumatic brain injury and greatest risk for developmental impact. This study will estimate the prevalence of parent/caregiver-suspected and diagnosed TBI among young children and describe associations between TBI diagnosis and chronic health conditions, functional indicators, and health care access.

Parents/caregivers of children aged 0-5 years responding to the 2020-2023 National Survey of Children's Health. Suspected and diagnosed TBI variables were based on responses to questions about parents'/caregivers' suspicion of their child having a brain injury, if they sought medical care, and if the health care provider provided a diagnosis. Parents/caregivers also reported on their child's additional health conditions, functional indicators, school and social factors, and health care access and service utilization.

Among young children, 1.0% experienced a suspected TBI in their lifetime; 0.7% were diagnosed with a TBI in their lifetime. Children with diagnosed TBI had a special health care need, developmental conditions, speech/language disorder, externalizing conditions, epilepsy, blindness or deafness, and pain. Children with a diagnosed TBI were more likely to experience activity limitations, parental aggravation, and chronic difficulty with coordination. Children with a diagnosed TBI had unmet care coordination needs, and difficulties accessing care compared among those with no suspected TBI.

TBI in young children is associated with numerous health conditions, functional limitations, and family impacts. Parental education on TBI prevention and care seeking is essential. Educational professionals and childcare workers also benefit from education about TBI effects in this age group.