Published on 25/01/2024 in AAP Paediatrics

Highlights

• The study focused on determining the incidence and relative risk of post-injury affective and behavioral disorders 4 years after mild traumatic brain injuries (mTBIs) in children ≤17 years of age.
• The findings revealed that adjusted risks for affective disorders were significantly higher across the first 3 years after injury for the mTBI group, with a 34% increase in risk during the second year, and adjusted risks for behavioral disorders were significant at years 2 and 4, with up to a 37% increase in risk.
• The study demonstrated that sustaining an mTBI significantly increased the risks of developing new affective or behavioral disorders up to 4 years after the injury, particularly among 10- to 13-year-old patients.
• The authors recommended initial and ongoing screening for affective and behavior disorders following an mTBI to identify persistent conditions that may pose barriers to recovery.

Synopsis

The study aimed to address the limitations of previous research by determining the incidence and relative risk of post-injury affective and behavioral disorders 4 years after mild traumatic brain injuries (mTBIs) in children.

The cohort study included 18,917 mTBI cases and 37,834 matched comparisons within an integrated health care system.

The findings revealed that adjusted risks for affective disorders were significantly higher across the first 3 years after injury for the mTBI group, with a 34% increase in risk during the second year. Adjusted risks for behavioral disorders were significant at years 2 and 4, with up to a 37% increase in risk. The age group with the highest risk for post-injury affective and behavioral disorders was 10- to 13-year-old patients.

In conclusion, the study demonstrated that sustaining an mTBI significantly increased the risks of developing new affective or behavioral disorders up to 4 years after the injury. The authors recommended initial and ongoing screening for affective and behavior disorders following an mTBI to identify persistent conditions that may pose barriers to recovery.

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