Severe Pediatric Traumatic Brain Injury Research Articles

External lumbar drainage for the management of refractory intracranial hypertension in pediatric severe traumatic brain injury: a retrospective single-center case series

OBJECTIVE Guidelines for the management of pediatric severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) recommend external ventricular drainage for CSF drainage as a first-tier treatment in the intracranial pressure (ICP) pathway. However, ventriculostomy in children can sometimes be challenging because of the small size of the lateral ventricles. External lumbar drainage (ELD) may be a useful alternative; therefore, the authors analyzed the outcome of a cohort of pediatric patients who underwent ELD to manage intracranial hypertension (ICH). METHODS This study retrospectively enrolled pediatric patients with ICH following severe TBI who underwent ELD. Radiological and clinical severity scores (Marshall classification, Rotterdam score, Injury Severity Score, and Pediatric Trauma Score) were noted. ICP and cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP) curves were analyzed 12 hours before and after the procedure. Any change in medical therapy was recorded, as well as the total volume and duration of drainage. Cerebellar tonsillar position according to the McRae line was noted before and after ELD. Glasgow Outcome Scale-Extended score at follow-up was also noted. RESULTS Thirty patients were included, with a mean age of 8 ± 4.4 years, and a median admission Glasgow Coma Scale score of 7 ± 4 (range 3–13). ELD was performed after a median delay of 1 day (range 0–7 days), mean drainage volume/day was 296 ± 129 ml, and median duration of drainage was 7 ± 5 (range 2–12) days. Forty-three percent of the patients underwent ELD as a part of the first-tier therapy. ICP decreased after ELD (mean difference 13.4 ± 6.2 mm Hg, p < 0.001), whereas CPP increased (mean difference 10.6 ± 6.4 mm Hg, p < 0.001). Fifty-three percent of the cohort did not need any further second-tier therapy after ELD. The study found 1 case of drain revision and 3 cases of cerebellar tonsil herniation. CONCLUSIONS These preliminary data suggest ELD is a valuable option to treat ICH in severely head-injured children, limiting the use of second-tier treatments. This pilot study should lay the foundation for a multicenter prospective trial.

Evaluating the Benefits of Ventriculostomy Compared to Intracranial Pressure Monitoring for Severe Pediatric Traumatic Brain Injury

BackgroundIn this study, we compared outcomes between intracranial pressure monitoring (ICP) only versus ventriculostomy (VT) using a nationwide database of pediatric trauma patients. MethodsPediatric patients (<18 years) with severe blunt TBI who underwent ICP monitoring with or without VT were identified from the 2017–2021 ACS Trauma Quality Programs. We excluded patients who experienced death or craniotomy/craniectomy within 48 h. The primary outcome was discharge disposition. Secondary outcomes were subsequent intracranial surgery, length of stay (LOS), and infectious complications. Competing risks survival analysis was used to evaluate the multivariable association between ICP vs. VT and outcomes. ResultsOf 1719 eligible patients, 65.9% were male and 54.1% had VT. Between the ICP and VT groups, there were no differences in mean age (11.4 vs. 11.0 years, p = 0.145), injury severity score (30.9 vs. 30.9, p = 0.937), or median GCS (3 vs. 3, p = 0.120). Multivariable analysis showed a robust association between VT and discharge home (compared to rehabilitation center; sHR 0.85, 95% CI 0.74–0.97, p = 0.017). VT use was not associated with increased mortality compared to ICP (p = 0.342). Finally, VT patients had longer median LOS (20.5 vs. 18.0 days, p < 0.001) but there was no difference in subsequent craniotomy/craniectomy (8.6 vs. 6.5%, p = 0.096) or infectious complications (1.2 vs. 0.9%, p = 0.549). ConclusionVT was associated with greater discharge to home. Although VT patients had a greater LOS, the risk for other secondary outcomes did not vary, suggesting that VT may have benefits for the treatment of severe TBI with respect to discharge disposition. Level of EvidenceIII.

Social Environment and Neurobehavioral Outcomes 1 Year After Severe Pediatric TBI in the Intensive Care Unit.

To examine the association of home and neighborhood environment with neurobehavioral outcomes after severe pediatric traumatic brain injury (TBI). Domestic and international children's medical centers. Participants enrolled in the study were 18 years or younger at the time of their severe TBI (Glasgow Coma Scale [GCS] ≤ 8), admitted to the intensive care unit, and underwent placement of an intracranial pressure (ICP) monitor. Exclusionary criteria included less severe injury (GCS > 8), pregnancy, and/or ICP monitor placement occurred at a non-participating hospital. A multicenter, observational cohort study. Outcomes assessed at 12 months post-injury included measures of global functioning, intellectual ability, caregiver-report measures of family functioning, executive functioning behaviors, behavior problems, and health-related quality of life. We examined mortality risk (assessed acutely after injury), family functioning (assessed at 12 months post-injury) and parenting practices, social environment, and neighborhood stressors (all assessed > 12 months post-injury), as correlates and moderators of the 12-month post-injury outcomes. Home and neighborhood factors were associated with neurobehavioral outcomes (ie, intellectual ability, executive functioning, behavioral adjustment, and health-related quality of life) but not with global functioning outcomes. A negative association between a more vulnerable home and neighborhood environment and neurobehavioral outcomes was more consistent in older children compared with younger children, based on age of injury. The influence of mortality risk on neurobehavioral outcomes was variable. Parenting practices and quality of social and neighborhood environment are associated with neurobehavioral outcomes 12 months after severe pediatric TBI. More research is needed to better understand the relationship between home/neighborhood stressors and TBI recovery to develop and implement strategies for patients and families to optimize outcomes. Future intervention development should focus on addressing parenting practices and social environment in a developmentally sensitive way for children who have sustained a severe TBI.

MRI and Clinical Variables for Prediction of Outcomes After Pediatric Severe Traumatic Brain Injury

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a leading cause of death and disability in children, and predicting functional outcome after TBI is challenging. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is frequently conducted after severe TBI; however, the predictive value of MRI remains uncertain. To identify early MRI measures that predict long-term outcome after severe TBI in children and to assess the added predictive value of MRI measures over well-validated clinical predictors. This preplanned prognostic study used data from the Approaches and Decisions in Acute Pediatric TBI (ADAPT) prospective observational comparative effectiveness study. The ADAPT study enrolled 1000 consecutive children (aged <18 years) with severe TBI between February 1, 2014, and September 30, 2017. Participants had a Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score of 8 or less and received intracranial pressure monitoring. Magnetic resonance imaging scans performed as part of standard clinical care within 30 days of injury were collected at 24 participating sites in the US, UK, and Australia. Summary imaging measures were correlated with the Glasgow Outcome Scale-Extended for Pediatrics (GOSE-Peds), and the predictive value of MRI measures was compared with the International Mission for Prognosis and Analysis of Clinical Trials in TBI (IMPACT) core clinical predictors. Data collection, image analysis, and data analyses were completed in July 2023. Pediatric severe TBI with an MRI scan performed as part of clinical care. All measures were selected a priori. Magnetic resonance imaging measures included contusion, ischemia, diffuse axonal injury, intracerebral hemorrhage, and brainstem injury. Clinical predictors included the IMPACT core measures (GCS motor score and pupil reactivity). All models adjusted for age and sex. Outcome measures included the GOSE-Peds score obtained at 3, 6, and 12 months after injury. This study included 233 children with severe TBI who were enrolled at participating sites and had an MRI scan and preselected clinical predictors available. Their median age was 6.9 (IQR, 3.0-13.3) years, and more than half of participants (134 [57.5%]) were male. In a multivariable model including MRI measures and IMPACT core clinical variables, contusion volume (odds ratio [OR], 1.13; 95% CI, 1.02-1.26), brain ischemia (OR, 2.11; 95% CI, 1.58-2.81), brainstem lesions (OR, 5.40; 95% CI, 1.90-15.35), and pupil reactivity were each independently associated with GOSE-Peds score. Adding MRI measures to the IMPACT clinical predictors significantly improved model fit and discrimination between favorable and unfavorable outcomes compared with IMPACT predictors alone (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve, 0.77; 95% CI, 0.72-0.85 vs 0.67; 95% CI, 0.61-0.76 for GOSE-Peds score >3 at 6 months after injury). In this prognostic study of children with severe TBI, the addition of MRI measures significantly improved outcome prediction over well-established and validated clinical predictors. Magnetic resonance imaging should be considered in children with severe TBI to inform prognosis and may also promote stratification of patients in future clinical trials.

Investigating the Safety and Efficacy of Therapeutic Hypothermia in Pediatric Severe Traumatic Brain Injury: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Prior guidelines recommended maintaining normothermia following traumatic brain injury (TBI), but recent studies suggest therapeutic hypothermia as a viable option in pediatric cases. However, some others demonstrated a higher mortality rate. Hence, the impact of hypothermia on neurological symptoms and overall survival remains contentious. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the effects of hypothermia on neurological outcomes in pediatric TBI patients. The PubMed/Medline, Scopus, and Web of Science databases were searched until 1 January 2024 and data were analyzed using appropriate statistical methods. A total of eight studies, comprising nine reports, were included in this analysis. Our meta-analysis did not reveal significant differences in mortality (RR = 1.58; 95% CI = 0.89-2.82, p = 0.055), infection (RR = 0.95: 95% CI = 0.79-1.1, p = 0.6), arrhythmia (RR = 2.85: 95% CI = 0.88-9.2, p = 0.08), hypotension (RR = 1.54: 95% CI = 0.91-2.6, p = 0.10), intracranial pressure (SMD = 5.07: 95% CI = -4.6-14.8, p = 0.30), hospital length of stay (SMD = 0.10; 95% CI = -0.13-0.3, p = 0.39), pediatric intensive care unit length of stay (SMD = 0.04; 95% CI = -0.19-0.28, p = 0.71), hemorrhage (RR = 0.86; 95% CI = 0.34-2.13, p = 0.75), cerebral perfusion pressure (SMD = 0.158: 95% CI = 0.11-0.13, p = 0.172), prothrombin time (SMD = 0.425; 95% CI = -0.037-0.886, p = 0.07), and partial thromboplastin time (SMD = 0.386; 95% CI = -0.074-0.847, p = 0.10) between the hypothermic and non-hypothermic groups. However, the heart rate was significantly lower in the hypothermic group (-1.523 SMD = -1.523: 95% CI = -1.81--1.22 p < 0.001). Our findings challenge the effectiveness of therapeutic hypothermia in pediatric TBI cases. Despite expectations, it did not significantly improve key clinical outcomes. This prompts a critical re-evaluation of hypothermia's role as a standard intervention in pediatric TBI treatment.

Do Racial and Ethnic Disparities Exist in Intensity of Intracranial Pressure-Directed Therapies and Outcomes Following Pediatric Severe Traumatic Brain Injury?

Studies suggest disparities in outcomes in minoritized children after severe traumatic brain injury. We aimed to evaluate for disparities in intracranial pressure-directed therapies and outcomes after pediatric severe traumatic brain injury. We conducted a secondary analysis of the Approaches and Decisions for Acute Pediatric TBI (ADAPT) Trial, which enrolled pediatric severe traumatic brain injury patients (Glasgow Coma Scale score ≤8) with an intracranial pressure monitor from 2014 to 2018. Patients admitted outside of the United States were excluded. Patients were categorized by race and ethnicity (Hispanic, non-Hispanic Black, non-Hispanic White, and "Other"). We evaluated outcomes by assessing mortality and 3-month Glasgow Outcome Score-Extended for Pediatrics. Our analysis involved parametric and nonparametric testing. A total of 671 children were analyzed. Significant associations included older age in non-Hispanic White patients (P < .001), more surgical evacuations in "Other" (P < .001), and differences in discharge location (P = .040). The "other" cohort received hyperventilation less frequently (P = .046), although clinical status during Paco2 measurement was not known. There were no other significant differences in intracranial pressure-directed therapies. Hispanic ethnicity was associated with lower mortality (P = .004) but did not differ in unfavorable outcome (P = .810). Glasgow Outcome Score-Extended for Pediatrics was less likely to be collected for non-Hispanic Black patients (69%; P = .011). Our analysis suggests a general lack of disparities in intracranial pressure-directed therapies and outcomes in children after severe traumatic brain injury. Lower mortality in Hispanic patients without a concurrent decrease in unfavorable outcomes, and lower availability of Glasgow Outcome Score-Extended for Pediatrics score for non-Hispanic Black patients merit further investigation.

Update in Pediatric Neurocritical Care: What a Neurologist Caring for Critically Ill Children Needs to Know.

Currently nearly one-quarter of admissions to pediatric intensive care units (PICUs) worldwide are for neurocritical care diagnoses that are associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Pediatric neurocritical care is a rapidly evolving field with unique challenges due to not only age-related responses to primary neurologic insults and their treatments but also the rarity of pediatric neurocritical care conditions at any given institution. The structure of pediatric neurocritical care services therefore is most commonly a collaborative model where critical care medicine physicians coordinate care and are supported by a multidisciplinary team of pediatric subspecialists, including neurologists. While pediatric neurocritical care lies at the intersection between critical care and the neurosciences, this narrative review focuses on the most common clinical scenarios encountered by pediatric neurologists as consultants in the PICU and synthesizes the recent evidence, best practices, and ongoing research in these cases. We provide an in-depth review of (1) the evaluation and management of abnormal movements (seizures/status epilepticus and status dystonicus); (2) acute weakness and paralysis (focusing on pediatric stroke and select pediatric neuroimmune conditions); (3) neuromonitoring modalities using a pathophysiology-driven approach; (4) neuroprotective strategies for which there is evidence (e.g., pediatric severe traumatic brain injury, post-cardiac arrest care, and ischemic stroke and hemorrhagic stroke); and (5) best practices for neuroprognostication in pediatric traumatic brain injury, cardiac arrest, and disorders of consciousness, with highlights of the 2023 updates on Brain Death/Death by Neurological Criteria. Our review of the current state of pediatric neurocritical care from the viewpoint of what a pediatric neurologist in the PICU needs to know is intended to improve knowledge for providers at the bedside with the goal of better patient care and outcomes.

Levetiracetam or Phenytoin as Prophylaxis for Status Epilepticus: Secondary Analysis of the "Approaches and Decisions in Acute Pediatric Traumatic Brain Injury Trial" (ADAPT) Dataset, 2014-2017.

To compare levetiracetam and phenytoin as prophylaxis for the short-term development of status epilepticus (SE) during care of pediatric patients with acute severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). Nonprespecified secondary analysis using propensity score matching. We used the Approaches and Decisions in Acute Pediatric TBI Trial (ADAPT NCT04077411) dataset (2014-2017). Patients less than 18 years old with Glasgow Coma Scale Score less than or equal to 8 who received levetiracetam or phenytoin as a prophylactic anticonvulsant therapy. None. Of the 516 total patients who qualified for the case-control study, 372 (72.1%) patients received levetiracetam, and 144 (27.9%) received phenytoin. After propensity score matching, the pair-matched analysis with 133 in each group failed to identify an association between levetiracetam versus phenytoin use and occurrent of SE (3.8% vs. 0.8%, p = 0.22), or mortality (i.e., in-hospital, 30-d and 60-d). However, on closer inspection of the statistical testing, we cannot exclude the possibility that selecting levetiracetam rather than phenytoin for prophylaxis was associated with the following: up to a mean difference of 7.3% greater prevalence of SE; up to a mean difference of 13.9%, 12.1%, and 13.9% greater mortality during the hospital stay, and 30-, and 60-days after hospital arrival, respectively. Last, analysis of 6 months Glasgow Outcome Scale Extended score in those without premorbid comorbidities, there was an association between favorable outcomes and use of phenytoin rather than levetiracetam prophylaxis. In ADAPT, the decision to use prophylactic levetiracetam versus phenytoin failed to show an association with occurrence of subsequent SE, or mortality. However, we are unable to exclude the possibility that selecting levetiracetam rather than phenytoin for prophylaxis was associated with greater prevalence of SE and mortality. We are unable to make any recommendation about one prophylactic anticonvulsant medication over the other, but recommend that further larger, contemporary studies in severe pediatric TBI are carried out.

Association of initial assessment variables and mortality in severe pediatric traumatic brain injury

BackgroundPredictive scales have been used to prognosticate long-term outcomes of traumatic brain injury (TBI), but gaps remain in predicting mortality using initial trauma resuscitation data. We sought to evaluate the...

Elucidating a genomic signature associated with behavioral and executive function after moderate to severe pediatric TBI: a systems biology informed approach

Introduction: There is significant unexplained variability in behavioral and executive functioning after pediatric traumatic brain injury (TBI). Prior research indicates that there are likely genetic contributions; however, current research is limited. The purpose of this study is to use a systems biology informed approach to characterize the genomic signature related to behavioral and executive functioning ∼12 months after moderate through severe TBI in children.Methods: Participants were from two prospective cohorts of children with severe TBI (Cohort #1) and moderate-severe TBI and an orthopedic injury (OI) group (Cohort #2). Participants included 196 children (n = 72 and n = 124 total from each respective cohort), ranging in age between 0–17 years at the time of injury. In total, 86 children had severe TBI, 49 had moderate TBI, and 61 had an OI. Global behavioral functioning assessed via the Child Behavior Checklist and executive function assessed via the Behavioral Rating Inventory of Executive Function at ∼ 12 months post injury served as outcomes. To test for a genomic signature, we compared the number of nominally significant (p &amp;lt; 0.05) polymorphisms associated with the outcomes in our systems biology identified genes to a set 10,000 permutations using control genes (e.g., not implicated by systems biology). We used the ToppFun application from Toppgene Suite to identify enriched biologic processes likely to be associated with behavioral and executive function outcomes.Results: At 12 months post injury, injury type (TBI vs OI) by polymorphism interaction was significantly enriched in systems biology selected genes for behavioral and executive function outcomes, suggesting these genes form a genomic signature. Effect sizes of the associations from our genes of interest ranged from .2–.5 for the top 5% of variants. Systems biology analysis of the variants associated with the top 5% effect sizes indicated enrichment in several specific biologic processes and systems.Discussion: Findings indicate that a genomic signature may explain heterogeneity of behavioral and executive outcomes after moderate and severe TBI. This work provides the foundation for constructing genomic signatures and integrating systems biology and genetic information into future recovery, prognostic, and treatment algorithms.

Behavior problems 7 years after severe childhood traumatic brain injury: Results of the Traumatisme Grave de L'Enfant study.

To investigate the occurrence of behavioral problems 7 years after severe pediatric traumatic brain injury (TBI), and their evolution from 3 months to 7 years postinjury. Thirty-four participants, 38% girls, M (SD) age at injury 7.6 (4.7) years, age at assessment 15 (4.6) years, underwent comprehensive assessments 7 years after severe TBI from March 2014 to March 2016 and were matched to a control group by age, gender, and parental education. A subgroup of 20 participants had available behavioral assessments at 3, 12, and 24 months postinjury. Internalizing, externalizing, and total behavioral problems were assessed with self- and parent reports of the Achenbach's Behavioral Checklist. Additional data included sociodemographic background, initial injury severity, and specific outcomes assessed concurrently 7 years postinjury. Compared to controls: (a) a significant proportion of participants with severe TBI fell above the clinical cutoff for self- (42%) and parent-reported (36%) externalizing problems, but not for self- (33%) or parent-reported (45%) internalizing problems; (b) withdrawn/depressed, intrusive behavior, and somatic complaints were significantly higher in self-reports; and (c) rule-breaking behavior, attention, and social problems were significantly higher in parent reports. Parent-reported internalizing problems were associated with older age at injury, whereas externalizing problems correlated with greater injury severity and concurrent levels of greater overall disability, lower intellectual ability, and poorer family functioning. In multiple hierarchical regression analyses, overall disability and worse family functioning significantly predicted externalizing problems. Parent-reported internalizing and externalizing problems persisted over time. These results highlight the importance of long-term follow-up and individualized behavioral interventions for children who sustained severe TBI. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Accuracy of Early Neuroprognostication in Pediatric Severe Traumatic Brain Injury

BackgroundChildren with severe traumatic brain injury (sTBI) are at risk for neurological sequelae impacting function. Clinicians are tasked with neuroprognostication to assist in decision-making. We describe a single-center study assessing clinicians’ neuroprognostication accuracy. MethodsClinicians of various specialties caring for children with sTBI were asked to predict their patients' functioning three to six months postinjury. Clinicians were asked to participate in the study if their patient had survived but not returned to baseline between day 4 and 7 postinjury. The outcome tool utilized was the functional status scale (FSS), ranging from 6 to 30 (best-worst function). Predicted scores were compared with actual scores three to six months postinjury. Lin concordance correlation coefficients were used to estimate agreement between predicted and actual FSS. Outcome was dichotomized as good (FSS 6 to 8) or poor (FSS ≥9). Positive and negative predictive values for poor outcome were calculated. Pessimistic prognostic prediction was defined as predicted worse outcome by ≥3 FSS points. Demographic and clinical variables were collected. ResultsA total of 107 surveys were collected on 24 patients. Two children died. Fifteen children had complete (FSS = 6) or near-complete (FSS = 7) recovery. Mean predicted and actual FSS scores were 10.8 (S.D. 5.6) and 8.6 (S.D. 4.1), respectively. Predicted FSS scores were higher than actual scores (P < 0.001). Eight children had collective pessimistic prognostic prediction. ConclusionsClinicians predicted worse functional outcomes, despite high percentage of patients with near-normal function at follow-up clinic. Certain patient and provider factors were noted to impact accuracy and need to be studied in larger cohorts.

The neurological wake-up test in severe pediatric traumatic brain injury: a long term, single-center experience.

To describe the use and outcomes of the neurological wake-up test (NWT) in pediatric severe traumatic brain injury (pTBI). Retrospective single-center observational cohort study. Medical-surgical tertiary pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) in a university medical center and Level 1 Trauma Center. Children younger than 18 years with severe TBI [i.e., Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) of ≤8] admitted between January 2010 and December 2020. Subjects with non-traumatic brain injury were excluded. Of 168 TBI patients admitted, 36 (21%) met the inclusion criteria. Median age was 8.5 years [2 months to 16 years], 5 patients were younger than 6 months. Median initial Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) and Glasgow Motor Scale (GMS) was 6 [3-8] and 3 [1-5]. NWTs were initiated in 14 (39%) patients, with 7 (50%) labelled as successful. Fall from a height was the underlying injury mechanism in those seven. NWT-failure occurred in patients admitted after traffic accidents. Sedation use in both NWT-subgroups (successful vs. failure) was comparable. Cause of NWT-failure was non-arousal (71%) or severe agitation (29%). Subjects with NWT failure subsequently had radiological examination (29%), repeat NWT (43%), continuous interruption of sedation (14%) or intracranial pressure (ICP) monitoring (14%). The primary reason for not doing NWTs was intracranial hypertension in 59%. Compared to the NWT-group, the non-NWT group had a higher PRISM III score (18.9 vs. 10.6), lower GCS/GMS at discharge, more associated trauma, and circulatory support. Nine patients (25%) died during their PICU admission, none of them had an NWT. We observed limited use of NWTs in pediatric severe TBI. Patients who failed the NWT were indistinguishable from those without NWT. Both groups were more severely affected compared to the NWT successes. Therefore, our results may indicate that only a select group of severe pTBI patients qualify for the NWT.

Long-term burden of informal caregiver 7-years after severe childhood traumatic brain injury in the traumatisme grave de l’Enfant (TGE) study

ABSTRACT Objective To investigate reported burden by the Primary Family Caregiver (PFC) 7-years after severe pediatric traumatic brain injury in the TGE (Traumatisme Grave de l’Enfant) longitudinal study. Methods Subjective burden was estimated with the Zarit Burden Inventory (ZBI) in 36 PFC (parents), who rated their own health status (Medical Outcome Study Short Form-12), family functioning and their child’s level of care and needs (Pediatric/Adult Care And Needs Scale [PCANS/CANS]). Data collection included: child and PFC sociodemographic characteristics, injury-related factors, ‘objective’ (e.g. overall level of disability: Glasgow Outcome Scale – Extended, GOS-E/GOS-E-Peds) and ‘subjective’ outcomes (e.g. participation, behavior, executive functions, quality of life and fatigue). Results 25% of PFC reported mild-moderate burden, and 19% moderate-severe burden. Higher burden correlated with worse outcomes in all ‘subjective’ PFC-rated outcomes, and with self-reported participation. The ZBI correlated strongly with CANS/PCANS and GOS-E/GOS-E-Peds. Overall level of disability and PFC-reported executive functioning explained 62% of the ZBI variance. For equal levels of disability, burden was higher when PFC reported a ‘negative’ picture of their child. Conclusion Significant PFC-reported burden 7-years post-injury was associated with overall disability and ‘subjective’ PFC-rated outcomes. Factors influencing parental burden in the long term should be identified and psychological support implemented over time.

Clinical Epidemiology of Extracranial Injuries in Severe Pediatric Traumatic Brain Injury in South America

BackgroundSevere traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a leading cause of pediatric mortality, with a disproportionate burden on low- and middle-income countries. The impact of concomitant extracranial injury (ECI) on these patients remains unclear. This study is the first to characterize the epidemiology and clinical course of severe pediatric TBI with extracranial injuries in any South American country. MethodsWe conducted a secondary analysis of baseline data collected prior to implementation of a clinical trial on TBI care in Argentina, Paraguay, and Chile from September 2019 to July 2020. Patients ≤18 years with CT evidence of TBI, and a Glasgow coma scale (GCS) score ≤8 were recruited. Patients were initially stratified by highest non-head abbreviated injury scale (AIS): isolated TBI (AIS=0), minor extracranial injury (MEI; AIS=1–2), and serious extracranial injury (SEI; AIS≥3). Patients were subsequently stratified by mechanism of injury. Intergroup differences were compared using ANOVA, two-tailed unpaired t-tests, and chi-square tests. ResultsAmong the 116 children included, 33 % (n = 38) had an isolated TBI, 34 % (n = 39) had MEI, and 34 % (n = 39) had SEI. Facial (n = 53), thoracic (n = 44), and abdominal (n = 31) injuries were the most common ECIs. At discharge, there were no significant differences in median GCS, GOS, or GOS-extended between groups. Patients with SEI had a longer hospital LOS than those with isolated TBI (median 28.0 (IQR 10.6–40.1) vs 11.9 (IQR 8.7–20.7) days, p = 0.013).The most common mechanisms of injury were road traffic injuries (RTIs) (n = 50, 43 %) and falls (n = 35, 30 %). Patients with RTI-associated TBIs were more likely to be older (median 11.0 (IQR 3.0–14.0) vs 2.0 (IQR 0.8–7.0) years, p<0.001) and more likely to have an ECI (86% vs 54 %, respectively; p = 0.003). ICU and Hospital LOS for RTI patients (median 10.5 (IQR 6.1–21.1) and 24.1 (IQR 11.5–40.4) days) were longer than those of fall patients (median 6.1 (IQR 2.6–8.9) and 13.7 (IQR 7.7–24.5) days). ConclusionsExtracranial injuries are common in South American patients with severe TBI. Severe ECI is more frequently associated with RTIs and can result in a higher rate of surgical procedures and LOS. Further strategies are needed to characterize the prevention and treatment of severe pediatric TBI in the South American context.

Nursing Interventions and Intracranial Pressure Change in Pediatric Patients With Severe Traumatic Brain Injury.

Nursing interventions in the care of pediatric patients with severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) can have a direct effect on intracranial pressure (ICP), yet they have been largely underexplored. Early evidence is therefore needed to describe these relationships and to determine intervention that promotes neuroprotection and recovery. The aim of this study was to examine nursing interventions within the first 72 hours of pediatric severe TBI and their effects on ICP. This is a retrospective review of pediatric patients admitted for severe TBI using a quasi-experimental approach to assess nursing interventions and their association with the patients' ICP values prior to and after each intervention. Of the 56 patients who met the inclusion criteria, 3392 intervention events (range, 31-138 events per patient) were reported. Paired t tests conducted for each intervention type found a statistically significant relationship with suctioning and percent change in ICP values (P = .045). All other interventions showed no significant differences. Standard nursing interventions, specifically suctioning, in pediatric severe TBI may affect ICP and therefore neuroprotection. Further work is needed to better understand the role and timing of nursing interventions and their influence on cerebral hemodynamics so that future TBI guidelines consider nursing care and their impact on brain injury recovery.

Outcomes of Repeat Surgery in Pediatric Severe Traumatic Brain Injury: An Analysis from Approaches and Decisions in Acute Pediatric Traumatic Brain Injury Trial

BackgroundEarly operative intervention, craniotomy (CO), and/or craniectomy (DC) are occasionally warranted in severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). Persistent increased intracranial pressure (ICP) or accumulation of intracranial hematoma post-surgery can result in higher mortality and morbidity. There is a gap in information regarding the outcome of repeat surgery (RS) in pediatric patients with severe TBI. MethodsAn observational cohort study titled Approaches and Decisions in Acute Pediatric Trial (ADAPT) of severe TBI data was obtained from the Federal Interagency Traumatic Brain Injury Research (FITBIR) Informatics System. All pediatric patients who underwent CO or DC, survived more than 44 hours and were found to have persistent elevated ICP >20 for two consecutive hours were included in the study. The purpose of the study was to find the outcomes of RS in pediatric severe TBI. Propensity based matching was used to find the outcomes. The primary outcome was 60-day mortality. ResultsOut of 1000 total patients enrolled in the ADAPT trial, 160 patients qualified for this study. Propensity score matching created 13 pairs of patients. There were no significant differences found between the groups who had RS vs. those who did not have repeat surgery (NRS). There were no significant differences found between the groups regarding 60-day mortality, median hospital days, median ICU days, and 6-month favorable outcome on Glasgow Outcome Scale Extended (GOS-E) score. ConclusionThere was no difference in mortality between patients who underwent a second surgery and patients who did not have to undergo a second surgery.

Salt versus sugar: a systematic review assessing 3% hypertonic saline versus 20% mannitol for intracranial pressure control in severe paediatric traumatic brain injury

Salt versus sugar: a systematic review assessing 3% hypertonic saline versus 20% mannitol for intracranial pressure control in severe paediatric traumatic brain injury

Intracranial Pressure and Its Related Parameters in the Management of Severe Pediatric Traumatic Brain Injury.

There are a number of challenges in the management of acute traumatic brain injuries in children. Beyond their relatively broad age range, which spans neonates to late adolescence, these children may likewise present with coexisting injuries. Thus, their management often necessitates a multidisciplinary team, who coordinate medical/surgical management during their hospitalization in the intensive care unit, as well as specialists in pediatric neurology and rehabilitation during postoperative recovery. Here we address standard of care for acute management, based upon established guidelines and focusing on intracranial pressure, cerebral perfusion pressure, and autoregulation. We also consider the controversies related to monitoring intracranial pressure and methods for sedation and treatment.

Development of a Randomized Trial Comparing ICP-Monitor-Based Management of Severe Pediatric Traumatic Brain Injury to Management Based on Imaging and Clinical Examination Without ICP Monitoring-Research Algorithms.

The efficacy of our current approach to incorporating intracranial pressure (ICP) data into pediatric severe traumatic brain injury (sTBI) management is incompletely understood, lacking data from multicenter, prospective, randomized studies. The National Institutes of Health-supported Benchmark Evidence from Latin America-Treatment of Raised Intracranial Pressure-Pediatrics trial will compare outcomes from pediatric sTBI of a management protocol based on ICP monitoring vs 1 based on imaging and clinical examination without monitoring. Because no applicable comprehensive management algorithms for either cohort are available, it was necessary to develop them. A consensus conference involving the 21 intensivists and neurosurgeons from the 8 trial sites used Delphi-based methodology to formulate management algorithms for both study cohorts. We included recommendations from the latest Brain Trauma Foundation pediatric sTBI guidelines and the consensus-based adult algorithms (Seattle International Brain Injury Consensus Conference/Consensus Revised Imaging and Clinical Examination) wherever relevant. We used a consensus threshold of 80%. We developed comprehensive management algorithms for monitored and nonmonitored cohort children with sTBI. We defined suspected intracranial hypertension for the nonmonitored group, set minimum number and timing of computed tomography scans, specified minimal age-adjusted mean arterial pressure and cerebral perfusion pressure targets, defined clinical neuroworsening, described minimal requisites for intensive care unit management, produced tiered management algorithms for both groups, and listed treatments not routinely used. We will study these protocols in the Benchmark Evidence from Latin America-Treatment of Raised Intracranial Pressure-Pediatrics trial in low- and middle-income countries. Second, we present them here for consideration as prototype pediatric sTBI management algorithms in the absence of published alternatives, acknowledging their limited evidentiary status. Therefore, herein, we describe our study design only, not recommended treatment protocols.