Traumatic brain injury in children and adolescents

Traumatic brain injury is an insult to the brain caused by an external forc e that results in an impairment (transient or permanent) of cognitive, beha vioral, emotional, or physical function. Traumatic brain injury encompasses shearing injury, which might be seen in a shaken infant, as well as penetr ating injury from a foreign body, such as a bullet. This article addresses the recovery phase and functional sequelae following traumatic brain injury . Research and clinical experience over the past decade have led to a bette r understanding of the pathophysiology of head injury and, in turn, improve d management.