Memory functioning 7 years after severe childhood traumatic brain injury: Results of the Traumatisme Grave de l'Enfant study. Issue 1 (15th April 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Câmara‐Costa, Hugo; Viot, Solène; Francillette, Leila; Opatowski, Marion; Toure, Hanna; Brugel, Dominique; Laurent‐Vannier, Anne; Meyer, Philippe; Watier, Laurence; Dellatolas, Georges; Chevignard, Mathilde
• Is Part Of: Journal of neuropsychology. Volume 16:Issue 1(2022)
• Page Start: 183
• Page End: 210
• Publication Date: 2021-04-15
• Subjects: adolescent -- child -- long term follow‐up -- longitudinal cohort study -- memory -- severe traumatic brain injury; Neuropsychology -- Periodicals; Brain -- Diseases -- Psychological aspects -- Periodicals; 612.82305
• DOI: 10.1111/jnp.12247
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1748-6645

Abstract

Abstract : Objective: To explore memory functioning 7 years after severe paediatric traumatic brain injury (TBI), associated factors, and relationships with other outcomes. Method: Children aged 0–15 years ( n = 65), consecutively admitted over a 3‐year period in a single trauma centre, who survived after severe non‐inflicted TBI, were included in a prospective longitudinal study. Memory assessments were performed 7 years post‐injury using the Children's Memory Scale or the Wechsler Memory Scale (WMS IV), according to age. The General Memory Score (GMS‐7) was the primary outcome. Results: Thirty‐seven patients were available for assessment at 7 years post‐injury. Mean GMS‐7 was in the low average range ( M = 84.9, SD = 12.1). Lower GMS‐7 was significantly associated with markers of higher injury severity, such as length of coma. One year post‐injury functional and disability outcomes explained 74% of the variance of GMS‐7. Concurrent intellectual ability and type of ongoing education correlated strongly with GMS‐7. Age at injury and parental education were not associated with memory outcome. Conclusions: Memory functioning is variable but often strongly impaired several years after severe paediatric TBI, and is mostly related to injury severity, functional outcomes measured 1 year post‐injury, and concomitant cognitive and educational outcomes. GMS‐7 was lower at 7 years than one year post‐injury, supporting the importance of long term follow‐up.