Sequelae of Risk Factors for Mild Brain Injuries in Children and Adolescents fromMotor Vehicle and Other Nonintentional Causes

摘要

The overall goal of the study was to determine the precursors and sequelae ofmild brain injury in children and adolescents. The three measurable specific aims were: to identify neurological and behavioral sequelae of mild brain injury, to identify clinical and psychosocial predictors of adverse sequelae of mild brain injuries, and to identify various predictors of injury occurrence. The study design involved mixed strategies including a longitudinal followup of: 275 mild brain injured children and adolescents; 275 age-, sex-, injury-severity matched nonbrain-injured children and adolescents; and 275 noninjured age-, sex-matched controls. All three groups were followed for 18 months and medical, social and behavioral outcomes were to be assessed using the Child Behavioral Checklist profile developed by Achenbach. The instrument was to be administered to all subjects, parents and teachers. In addition, prognostic and risk factors were to be assessed using school and medical/hospital records. The cohort design allowed for assessment of rates of outcomes and the relationship of prognostic factors to deleterious outcomes.