Citation

Yeates KO, Taylor HG, Rusin J, Bangert B, Dietrich A, Nuss K, Wright M. Int. J. Dev. Neurosci. 2012; 30(3): 231-237.

Affiliation

Department of Pediatrics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA; Center for Biobehavioral Health, The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2012, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.ijdevneu.2011.05.008

PMID

21651973

PMCID

PMC3190038

Abstract

STUDY AIM: This study sought to determine whether premorbid child and family functioning accounts for or moderates group differences in post-concussive symptoms following mild traumatic brain injury (TBI) in childhood. METHODS: This prospective, longitudinal cohort study recruited 8- to 15-year-old children, 186 with mild TBI and 99 with orthopedic injuries (OI), from consecutive emergency department admissions. Parents and children rated post-concussive symptoms within 3 weeks of injury and at 1, 3, and 12 months post injury. Parents also provided retrospective ratings of pre-injury symptoms, as well as of premorbid child behavioral adjustment, overall family functioning, and other stressors and resources in the family environment. RESULTS: Children with mild TBI reported more post-concussive symptoms than those with OI, as did their parents, although premorbid child behavioral adjustment and symptoms also were significant predictors of post-concussive symptoms. Group differences in somatic symptoms as reported by parents were more pronounced among children from families that were higher functioning and had more environmental resources. DISCUSSION: Mild TBI during childhood results in more post-concussive symptoms than OI, even after children's premorbid adjustment is taken into account. Counter to expectations, post-concussive symptoms following mild TBI may actually be more apparent among children from higher-functioning families with greater resources.

Language: en