Complications and Follow-up in Pediatric Brain Injuries

Background/Purpose: Traumatic brain injury is an important cause of death and disability in childhood. Especially post-traumatic complications have significant influence on the later outcome. Even mild traumatic brain injuries can be associated with several complications and residuals and need early detection.

Methods/Results: The variety of secondary brain lesions includes vascular and infectious etiologies as well as posttraumatic hydrocephalus and encephalocele, growing fractures and chronic intracranial hematomas, further neuropsychological and endocrinologic sequelae.

Conclusion: The knowledge of the spectrum of post traumatic complications is significant for correct treatment decisions and important for planning follow-up investigations. The prevention of secondary brain injuries and the early detection better avoidance of complications are the main goals in treating traumatic brain injured patients. In addition, an early prognostic assessment and early consideration of a neurorehabilitation indication is crucial for the later outcome.