ABI in children Flashcards
Why are children more predisposed to head injury?
Head: body ratio
Less myelinated brain
Thinner cranial bones
Haemorrhagic Shock
What is the prevalence of paediatric head injuries
Leading cause of death and disability
Can affect emerging skills, developing skills, established skills
Describe MOI - primary injury
Direct impact - focal injury under area of impact, penetration injury
Deceleration or shearing forces
Describe MOI - secondary injury
Increased ICP Ischaemic hypoxic injury Intracranial haemorrhage Electrolyte imbalance Infection/sepsis Seizures
How to measure TBI?
GCS, loss of consciousness, PTA
Mild TBI
GCS 13-15, LOC < 30 mins, PTA <1 hour
Moderate TBI
GCS 9-12, LOC 30-60 mins, PTA up to 1 day
Severe TBI
GCS <9, LOC > 60 mins, PTA > 1 day
Impacts of age at injury
Children injured before 7 years performed more poorly tn those injured after 7 years
Recover more slowly
Affects brain maturation, neuronal development and myelination
Children grow into disability
Physio early stage
Prevent further brain damage
Maintain respiratory function
Maintain flexibility of the MSK system
Increase level of consciousness
Physical Sequelae of ABI #2
Impairments in GM and FM performance Balance/coordination difficulties Speed of response times Tremor Spasticity/rigidity Hearing, visual impairments Sensory changes
Cognitive Sequelae #2
Arousal and attention Agitation Memory and learning Speed of information processing Executive functioning Visuoperceptual abilities Speech and language
Communication sequelae #2
Motor speech Word finding Reading and writing disorders Social sills High level language
Psychosocial sequelae #2
Behavioural changes
Impaired social skills
Emotional and mood changes
Fatigue in ABI
Extremely common
Can be ongoing
Mental and physical
