Early Elementary School Outcome in Children With a History of Traumatic Brain Injury Before Age 6 Years

Abstract

Findings indicate the importance of in-depth follow-up specialist assessments (eg, neuropsychologist and speech and language pathologists) to identify potential nuanced difficulties in children with mild complicated TBI that may be missed by general evaluations.

Sex and Gender Differences in Emotion Recognition and Theory of Mind After TBI: A Narrative Review and Directions for Future Research

“…Equally critical are effects of injury in childhood and in older adulthood. The importance of understanding sex differences at these life stages is supported by emerging evidence of pediatric TBI effects on social cognition and communication (89,90), and sex differences in outcome from pediatric TBI more broadly; and evidence of persistent social problems in older adults (91).…”

Traumatic Brain Injury in Young Children: A Scoping Review

“…5 In the absence of a complete neurodevelopmental evaluation, cognitive delays following TBI were more likely to remain unidentified than if formal comprehensive testing was performed. 30 Caregiver report was discussed by three articles and used to measure behavioral and executive functioning 14 ; physical, cognitive, emotional, and sleep symptoms 16 ; and overall health and functioning. 31 Studies found that caregiver report within itemized questionnaires captured functional changes not traditionally evaluated by standardized assessments (e.g., sleep disturbances, incontinence, atypical behavior specific to that child).…”

“…31 Studies found that caregiver report within itemized questionnaires captured functional changes not traditionally evaluated by standardized assessments (e.g., sleep disturbances, incontinence, atypical behavior specific to that child). 14,16 Given caregivers' familiarity with their children's functioning pre-and postinjury, as well as children's inability to accurately report symptoms, caregivers can provide critical context to a child's functioning after brain injury to inform treatment. 14,16 Evidence for Speech-Language Pathology Treatment following Early Childhood TBI Two of the included articles discussed treatment related to speech-language pathology.…”

“…14,16 Given caregivers' familiarity with their children's functioning pre-and postinjury, as well as children's inability to accurately report symptoms, caregivers can provide critical context to a child's functioning after brain injury to inform treatment. 14,16 Evidence for Speech-Language Pathology Treatment following Early Childhood TBI Two of the included articles discussed treatment related to speech-language pathology. 5,32 Generally, children who sustained a TBI in early childhood did not receive treatment in acute, outpatient, early childhood, or preschool settings.…”

“…11 From what we know about outcomes for early elementary school children who sustain a TBI prior to school entry, children perform worse on complex tests such as pragmatic language and verbal recall. 14 They also are more likely to fail a hearing screening than orthopaedic controls. 15 At the time of the injury, young children can be seen for a health care assessment in a variety of locations such as EDs, pediatrician offices, and urgent care.…”