New Jersey readers may be interested in learning that children who suffer a traumatic brain injury, or TBI, are more likely to develop attention problems than healthy children, according to a new study. However, optimal family environments can help children with TBI experience fewer symptoms.
In the study, which was conducted at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, researchers examined how children were impacted by TBI for an average of seven years after sustaining the initial injury. They found that children with mild TBIs, often called concussions, are twice as likely to suffer from some sort of attention issue such as problems with information processing, inhibition and reasoning. Meanwhile, kids with severe TBIs are five times more likely to have secondary ADHD. The researchers believe that early family intervention is key to helping children with TBI manage their symptoms. They found that children with mild TBIs who live in chaotic or socially disadvantaged homes often display persistent symptoms while those with severe TBIs who live in ideal family settings showed fewer signs of injury.
Traumatic brain injuries occur when a blow or jolt to the head disrupts the brain’s ability to function normally. They can also result when the skull is pierced by a penetrating injury. Each year, approximately 435,000 children aged 14 and under visit emergency rooms to be treated for TBIs.
A traumatic brain injury can cause long-term health problems that require years of medical interventions. Some TBI victims are even left permanently disabled. If a person’s TBI was caused by the negligence of another party, it may be possible for him or her to file a personal injury lawsuit seeking compensation for damages. An attorney could review the case and explain all the available legal options.
