Study Shows the Real Toll of Pediatric TBIs

Thanks to advances in modern medicine, a full recovery is now a very real possibility for children who suffer otherwise serious personal injuries in various types of accidents.

As encouraging as this is, it’s important to understand that there are still certain injuries from which a full recovery is all but impossible. For example, many children who suffer traumatic head injuries will likely have to deal with difficult symptoms for their entire lives.

To illustrate, consider a recently published study by Dutch researchers comparing how 53 children who suffered some sort of serious bodily trauma and 115 children who suffered some form of TBI fared in the 18 months following their accidents.

Here, after interviewing both parents and teachers, they discovered the following:

• The 115 children with TBIs had a higher incidence of both externalizing and internalizing behaviors, like aggression and anxiety, as well as attention lapses and slower reaction times.
• The 91 children with moderate to severe TBIs — meaning they were unconscious for over 30 minutes and suffered post-accident amnesia for at least 60 minutes — earned lower marks on IQ tests and showed more attention lapses than those who suffered mild TBIs.
• As discouraging as these findings are, the researchers did indicate that other studies have found that certain stimulant treatments have been shown to help children diagnosed with ADHD or survived cancer, meaning they could potentially help children who suffered TBIs as well.

While parents can help limit the risk of their child suffering a TBI through such simple steps as providing the necessary protective gear, limiting their involvement in potentially dangerous activities and ensuring they receive the necessary training in any activity where a head injury is a risk, the simple truth is they can’t protect their child from everything.

Indeed, the momentary actions of a reckless motorist, negligent homeowner or careless coach can all have lifelong consequences.

If the unthinkable does happen, however, and your child suffers a TBI due to the negligence of another, it’s important to consider speaking with an experienced legal professional to learn more about your rights and your options for seeking justice.

Brack Terry

Attorney F. Braxton “Brack” Terry has the legal skill, integrity, and trial experience to offer a high level of professional services to all of our East Tennessee clients. He strongly believes in the importance of strengthening and preserving civil advocacy throughout Tennessee’s legal community.