Outcome of pediatric traumatic brain injury

Abstract

Background: Traumatic brain injury in children is the most important cause of death and disability frequently found in Thailand.
Objective: To study the mortality rate, risk factors of disability, and outcome of using 3%NaCl for treating traumatic brain injury in children in Hatyai hospital.
Methods: Retrospective study is conducted from medical records in children age under 15 years old, who were diagnosed with traumatic brain injury between January 1st, 2019 to December 31st, 2021. Logistic regression is used for data analysis.
Results: 482 patients were sample and 59.75 per cent of them were male patients. The median age was 7 years old. Traffic injury with motorcycle accident was the most common cause, at 63.28 per cent.Alteration of consciousness, vomiting, and headache were the most common symptoms.Long bone fracture andmaxillofacial injury were the common associated injury. From the statistical analysis, the mortality rate was 2.7 per cent and the disability rate was 8.92 per cent, which were significantly cause by the Glasgow Coma Score below 8, depressed skull fracture from CT scan and maxillofacial injury were impacted the risk factors of mortality and disability. In addition, the treatment with 3%NaCl showed good treatment outcome in this group at was applied for treatment in this group at 53.1 per cent.
Conclusion: Traffic injury, especially from motorcycle was the most common cause of traumatic brain injury in children. The risk factors of poor outcome were Glasgow Coma Score below 8, depressed skull fracture from CT brain and maxillofacial injury. In addition, applied treatment with 3%NaCl showed a good outcome.