Abstract
Introduction Pediatric traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a significant cause of death and long-term
disability. There is a paucity of data on quality of life in survivors of pediatric
TBI. The aim of this study is to determine the factors affecting the quality of life
after TBI in children.
Methods Consecutively admitted 104 of 156 patients to the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU)
with TBI between 1 month and 18 years were included in the study. Demographics were
obtained from electronic records. Injury severity and mortality scores were calculated.
The Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL) scale and Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS)
score were evaluated by interview with patient or the caregiving parents. The Rotterdam
computed tomography (CT) score was calculated from the radiology images taken within
the first 24 hours after admission to the emergency service.
Results Severe TBI, multiple trauma, intracranial hemorrhage from multiple sites, convulsions,
high intracranial pressure, emergency operation on admission, and hypotension on admission
were associated with low PedsQL values according to results of univariate analysis
(p < 0.05). There was a negative correlation between PedsQL and GOS, mechanical ventilation
duration, PICU length of stay (LOS), and hospital LOS. In the linear regression model
made by considering the univariate analysis results, it was shown that Rotterdam CT
score and PICU LOS are independent variables that determine low PedsQL score. PedsQL
scores were lower in children ≥ 8 years of age and in those evaluated within the first
year after discharge (p = 0.003).
Conclusion In pediatric TBI, Rotterdam CT score and PICU LOS were found as independent variables
determining PedsQL score after discharge.
Keywords
children - trauma - outcome - Rotterdam score
