Mild closed head injury in children compared to traumatic fractured bone; neurobehavioural sequelae in daily life 2 years after the accident

Two years after an accident resulting in either a mild head injury or a fra ctured bone, two groups of 22 children each, aged 4-14 years, were examined for the existence of any neurobehavioural symptoms by means of a standardi zed questionnaire filled out by their caretakers. Selection of the children was based on reports of the Accident and Emergency Department in 1 year. S ignificantly more symptoms were reported after mild head injury. The main s ymptoms reported were headache, dizziness, fatigue and memory problems. The total number of symptoms in the children with mild head injury exceeded fo ur times this in the group of children with a fractured bone. Conclusion Even 2 years after a mild head injury there are still residual s ymptoms in daily life.