FUNCTIONAL OUTCOME AFTER PEDIATRIC HEAD-INJURY

Objectives. To examine the consequences of head injury and the medical , economic, and sociodemographic factors affecting functional status 1 year after injury. Methods. A follow-up was conducted on 95 children (aged 5 to 15) 1 year after they were hospitalized for head injury. Pa rents were interviewed by phone concerning their child's preinjury and current health status, and the family's economic and social resources during the 1 year postinjury. Inpatient medical records were reviewed to obtain information regarding the characteristics of the injury. Re sults. We found that study children were more likely than children fro m the general population to have limitations in physical health, behav ioral problems, and to be enrolled in a special education program. The se findings were true for all levels of head injury severity, although children with severe head injuries (Abbreviated Injury Scale 5) were more likely to demonstrate these functional limitations than were chil dren with less severe injuries (Abbreviated Injury Scale 2, 3, 4). Aft er controlling for head injury severity, we found that the poorer outc omes were associated with poverty, preinjury chronic health problems, and lower extremity injuries. Conclusions. The large proportion of chi ldren who demonstrated functional limitations underscores the importan ce of evaluating all children hospitalized with head injuries for func tional limitations and providing rehabilitation and social services wh en needed.