Recovery of memory function following traumatic brain injury in pre-schoolchildren

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) may have a profound impact on a child's ongoin g development. Various risk factors have been found to predict outcome, but considerable variability remains unexplained. This study used a prospectiv e, longitudinal design to examine recovery of memory function following TBI within the pre-school period. Ninety-six children with TBI were divided ac cording to injury severity (mild, moderate, severe), and compared to age an d SES matched healthy controls (n = 35). Children were evaluated acutely an d at 6,12 and 18 months post-injury using intellectual and memory measures. Results showed a relationship between greater injury severity and poorer i ntellectual ability. This dose-response relationship was not clearly eviden t for memory function within the acute phase of recovery, but developed ove r time, with greater memory impairments evident for children with more seve re TBI by 12 months post-injury. Children with mild TBI exhibited few memor y problems. Findings are discussed in the context of theories of plasticity and recovery of function.