Age at injury as a predictor of outcome following pediatric head injury: A longitudinal perspective

This study investigates the relationship between age at injury and recovery following pediatric head injury. Two groups were investigated: (1) children injured before age 7 (n = 16); (2) children injured at or after age 7 (n = 20). Groups were matched for socioeconomic status and injury severity. Using standardized intellectual measures, children were evaluated at 4 months and 2 years post head injury. Results revealed that children who sustained head injury prior to 7 years of age performed more poorly than did those injured at or after age 7, and that recovery profiles following head injury were associated with age at injury. Children who sustained head injuries in early childhood failed to exhibit the expected acute recovery pattern and maintained a stable performance from 4 months to 2 years postinjury. Children injured later in childhood showed recovery consistent with that described in adult head injury, with increases in performance between initial and follow-up assessments.