[Similarities and differences after head injuries in children and adults (author's transl)]

The results of a systematic neurological and electro-encephalographical follow-up study in 344 head injured adults and 116 children were compared. The results show that posttraumatic EEG abnormalities lasting more than 24 hours, are equally frequent in children (53%) and in adults (49%). Mostly short lasting neurological signs of focal tissue damage are however significantly more frequent in children (30% vs. 13% and EEG-abnormalities (foci and general slowing) are on the average more pronounced. The recovery of EEG abnormalities follows the same pattern as in adults, occurs however faster among children. In both groups the normalization of general slowing precedes that of focal abnormalities only in 25% of the cases. Amnesias on the average last shorter in infants. Their duration seems of lesser significance for the judgement of the severity of the trauma in children than in adults. 6 months after the trauma children complain less frequently about headache, dizziness, or impaired memory and diminished ability to concentrate; emotional lability and impairement of drive, however, are more frequent than in adults. The results indicate an equal diagnostic and prognostic importance of systematic EEG studies (within 2 days, after 1 week and 6 month after the trauma) in both groups.