Resumen

RODRIGUEZ MOYA, Valentín Santiago et al. Assessment of the intellectual sequelae observed in children with severe traumatic brain injury. Rev Cubana Pediatr [online]. 2014, vol.86, n.3, pp. 336-343. ISSN 0034-7531.

Introduction: severe traumatic brain injury is one of the main causes of hospitalization and mortality in children aged over one year. Objective: to identify and to assess the intellectual sequelae that severe traumatic brain injuries cause in these pediatric patients. Methods: a prospective, longitudinal and descriptive study of 84 over one-year old children suffering severe traumatic brain injuries in the inclusion period of 1998 through 2008, with a follow-up motor rehabilitation up to 5 years (until 2013). The study variables were age, sex, direct causes of accident and clinical manifestations observed on the physical exam. The intelligence quotient and follow-up of progress in the course of time were determined according to the Glasgow Outcome Scale. Results: accidents were the main cause of brain injuries. The most affected were boys and the 5 to 9 years-old group. Sixty one percent of these patients had moderate mental retardation, 32.2 % mild retardation and 3.4 % severe and deep retardation. Seven died. The assessment of the rehabilitative treatment one year after confirmed that 76.6 % of these children kept their severe disability and 5 year after, just 29.9 % of them were unable to manage themselves. Conclusions: severe traumatic brain injuries cause awful intellectual sequelae in children and favorable rehabilitation is not accomplished till one year of discharge from the hospital. The most vulnerable groups are over 5 years-old children and males, and the fundamental cause of these severe brain injuries were, among the accidents, falls from a high place.

Palabras clave : severe brain injure; Glasgow Coma Score; children.

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