Pediatric Traumatic Brain Injury: Characteristic Features, Diagnosis, and Management

• Published in: Neurologia medico-chirurgica Vol. 57; no. 2; pp. 82 - 93
• Main Authors: ARAKI, Takashi, YOKOTA, Hiroyuki, MORITA, Akio
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Japan The Japan Neurosurgical Society 2017; THE JAPAN NEUROSURGICAL SOCIETY; Japan Science and Technology Agency
• Subjects: Adolescent; Age; Age Factors; Brain Injuries, Traumatic - complications; Brain Injuries, Traumatic - diagnosis; Brain Injuries, Traumatic - therapy; Child; Child, Preschool; Children; Diagnosis; Humans; Infant; Infant, Newborn; intensive care; intracranial pressure; Neuroimaging; pediatric; Pediatrics; Review; Traumatic brain injury; treatment
• ISSN: 0470-8105; 1349-8029
• DOI: 10.2176/nmc.ra.2016-0191

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is the leading cause of death and disability in children. Pediatric TBI is associated with several distinctive characteristics that differ from adults and are attributable to age-related anatomical and physiological differences, pattern of injuries based on the physical ability of the child, and difficulty in neurological evaluation in children. Evidence suggests that children exhibit a specific pathological response to TBI with distinct accompanying neurological symptoms, and considerable efforts have been made to elucidate their pathophysiology. In addition, recent technical advances in diagnostic imaging of pediatric TBI has facilitated accurate diagnosis, appropriate treatment, prevention of complications, and helped predict long-term outcomes. Here a review of recent studies relevant to important issues in pediatric TBI is presented, and recent specific topics are also discussed. This review provides important updates on the pathophysiology, diagnosis, and age-appropriate acute management of pediatric TBI.