Citation

Catroppa C, Godfrey C, Rosenfeld JV, Hearps SJ, Anderson V. J. Neurotrauma 2012; 29(16): 2539-2547.

Affiliation

Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Child Neuropsychology, 4th Floor West, Flemington Road, Parkville, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 3052, 99366638; cathy.catroppa@mcri.edu.au.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2012, Mary Ann Liebert Publishers)

DOI

10.1089/neu.2012.2403

PMID

22846066

Abstract

Functional impairments (adaptive, behavioral, educational) are common following pre-school traumatic brain injury (TBI). In comparison to cognitive outcome, functional outcomes have received limited attention, with little evidence to determine whether these difficulties persist in the very long-term. The aim of this study was to examine functional outcomes at 10 years post-injury and identify predictors of outcome. The study compared children with a diagnosis of TBI (n=40) to a healthy age, gender and socio-economic status (SES) matched control group (n=19) at 10 years post-injury. Outcomes and predictors of functional skills were investigated. Poorer adaptive skills were evident for those with more severe injury. Behavioral difficulties were present regardless of injury severity. Post-injury, arithmetic skills were most compromised in the longer-term. Pre-injury status, interventions accessed, and acute intellectual function were significant predictors of outcome. These results highlight the importance of monitoring functional skills in the long-term, especially for those children presenting with risk factors.

Language: en