Post-concussive symptoms after a mild traumatic brain injury during childhood and adolescence. (16th April 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Starkey, Nicola J.; Jones, Kelly; Case, Rosalind; Theadom, Alice; Barker-Collo, Suzanne; Feigin, Valery
• Is Part Of: Brain injury. Volume 32:Number 5(2018)
• Page Start: 617
• Page End: 626
• Publication Date: 2018-04-16
• Subjects: Adolescence -- behaviour -- child -- concussion -- longitudinal -- mild TBI -- symptoms; Brain damage -- Periodicals; Brain -- Wounds and injuries -- Periodicals; Brain Injuries -- Periodicals; 617.481
• DOI: 10.1080/02699052.2018.1439533
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0269-9052

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Objective : Mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) is common injury during childhood and adolescence but the long-term outcomes are poorly understood. This study examined post-concussive symptoms and behavioural outcomes in children and adolescents up to 24 months post-mTBI. Method: Parents of children aged 8–15 years with mTBI completed the BASC-2 and Rivermead Post-Concussion Symptoms Questionnaire at baseline, 1-, 6-, 12- and 24 months post-injury. An age-matched traumatic brain injury-free cohort was recruited and assessed at 12- and 24 months. Results : PCSs decreased significantly over the first 12 months post-injury. At 12- and 24 months post-injury, the mTBI group reported more PCSs and behavioural symptoms compared to controls. Parents of children with mTBI were more likely to report ≥4 problematic PCS symptoms (28% at both time points) compared to controls (7.7% and 1.7% at 12 and 24 months, respectively). The mTBI group was 4.63 times more likely to have four or more ongoing PCS symptoms at 12 months post-injury compared to controls. Headache was the most common acute post-injury symptom (55%), while the most commonly reported persistent symptoms were irritability, frustration, forgetfulness and fatigue. Conclusions : PCSs are common 2 years post-mTBI in childhood or adolescence. Given this, additional intervention and support is needed for families post-injury.