Pediatric traumatic brain injury: an update.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The developing brain is particularly vulnerable to traumatic brain injury (TBI), leading to frequent disability or death. This article is an update of the pediatric specificities of TBI management.

RECENT FINDINGS: We review the evidences with regards to general management and therapeutic goals to prevent secondary injuries in pediatric TBI patients. Recent controversies in neurocritical care, such as multimodal neuromonitoring, hyperventilation, barbiturate coma, hypothermia, and decompressive surgery, are also highlighted.

SUMMARY: Many therapeutic modalities in pediatric TBI have a low level of evidence. Further research is needed to establish clear resuscitation goals. Universal objectives may not be suitable for all patients; intensive neuromonitoring may help in identifying individual therapeutic goals and guiding the selection of treatments.