Long-term outcomes of pediatric acquired brain injury.

Recent studies have shown that persisting deficits remain even in young children with mild brain injuries. Our 2-year study investigated patterns of recovery in children and adolescents with ABI over the past 10 years. In the first year, we retrospectively reviewed demographic information (e.g., age at injury, gender,severity, GCS, coma length, and LOS), medical status, academic and therapy interventions, psychological, emotional and cognitive,physical, social, and family issues reported by parents and clients and outcome data from an adapted version of the Mayo-Portland Adaptability Inventory. In the second year of the study, we prospectively collected in-depth information through the use of new outcome measures, questionnaires and structured interviews. We focused on the relationships between persisting limitations (academic performance, pragmatic communication, social interactions, and physical abilities) and restrictions on participation (i.e., school, social relationships, vocational,and quality of life) of children who are between 3 and 5 years post-injury.