Abstract for presentation at 6th World Congress on Brain Injury

Transitions Experienced by Children and their Families after Brain Injury

  • Professor Carol DeMatteo, McMaster University , McMaster Children's Hospital, CanChild Centre for Childhood Disability Research, Canada
  • Dr Steven Hanna, McMaster University, CanChild Centre for Childhood Disability Reserach, Canada
  • Dr Louise Scott, CanChild Centre for Childhood Disability Research, Canada
  • Dr William Mahoney, McMaster Children's Hospital, Canada
  • Dr Mary Law, McMaster University, CanChild Centre for Childhood Disability Research, Canada
  • Dr Peter Rosenbaum, McMaster University, CanChild Centre for Childhood Disability Research, Canada
  • Ms Anne Newman, McMaster University, Canada

    • Children and their families go through a series of transitions after surviving an acquired brain injury (ABI). Parents have identified that times of transition are difficult stages in the recovery process. However there is little evidence to determine which children will be most vulnerable at times of transition to home, school and community. At present, clinical beliefs about the prognosis for children with ABI are not soundly evidence-based.
    Methods: To address these deficiencies of the literature, we recently completed a prospective inception cohort study of 183 school age (5-18 years) children with ABI. This represented 74% of a total population of 434 children admitted 0-18 years of age to McMaster Children’s Hospital with ABI of both traumatic and non traumatic origin. We conducted frequent longitudinal assessments of these children over a period of up to 24 months following injury, regarding functional and psychosocial domains relevant to their recovery and transition back into school, family, and community. Predictor Variables included medical and injury data, premorbid academic/behaviour function, and family. Outcomes measures included academic, behaviour, participation, and impact on family.
    Results: Analyses using mixed effects linear modeling and growth curve analysis are in process. The factors most associated with successful transitions and outcomes will be presented on completion of analysis. MVA was the most frequent cause of ABI then falls and sports with significantly more males than females affected. 24% were moderate-severe and 74% mild. 40% were identified as having premorbid behaviour/emotional problems by parents. Recommendations will be presented as to identification of children at risk for more difficult transitions and determination of the conditions and factors that put them at most risk. The stages and process of transition for children with an ABI will be described. Discussion of the needs at each stage of transition will be included.

    Conference Organiser - ICMS Pty Ltd