Neurobehavioral symptoms in childhood closed-head injuries: Changes in prevalence and correlates during the first year postinjury

Objective: To examine changes in the prevalence and correlates of neurobeha vioral symptoms during the first year following childhood closed-head injur ies (CHIs). Methods: Participants included 31 children with severe CHIs, 38 with modera te CHIs, and 53 with orthopedic injuries (Ols). Children and their families were assessed shortly after injury and at 6- and 12-month follow-ups. Pare nts rated 15 symptoms classified as either cognitive/somatic (C/S) or emoti onal/behavioral (E/B). Results: Both kinds of symptoms were more common in the CHI groups than in the OI group. C/S symptoms declined in the CHI groups over time, whereas E/ B symptoms became relatively more common. Measures of injury severity, chil dren's premorbid behavioral adjustment, and concurrent cognitive functionin g predicted C/S symptoms. E/B symptoms were predicted by injury severity, c oncurrent cognitive functioning soon after the injury, and concurrent paren t and family functioning later in time. Both types of symptoms contributed to the prediction of perceived family burden, with the relationships streng thening over time. Conclusions: The findings indicate that the prevalence and correlates of,ne urobehavioral symptoms in childhood CHIs vary as a function of symptom type and time since injury.