Not all children are receiving the same level or form of care following a pediatric traumatic brain injury. Those who are on the less fortunate side of these discrepancies are suffering the consequences.
As per the CDC, traumatic brain injury is known as the leading cause of disability in children. Published reports show that each year an estimated 3,000 children and youth die from TBI; 29,000 are hospitalized; and 400,000 are treated in hospital emergency departments.
Following traumatic brain injuries, occupational therapy can play a crucial role in recovery. I was shocked to learn that 31% of children hospitalized with TBI have unmet or unrecognized needs for health services one year after injury.
I saw firsthand the effects that occupational therapy can have on children who have suffered from TBI through my shadowing internship. Working towards goals with an occupational therapist, these children were progressing in their social interactions and interactions with materials that contribute to their activities of daily living.
In a study conducted to highlight the symptoms of TBI, students aged 11-18 participated to bring attention to their concussion symptoms. Although attention was brought to the light sensitivity, dizziness, nausea and headaches they were experiencing, my attention gravitated toward the level of care each of them received. The students described their transitions back into their school routine, as well as the protocols that were suggested to them by healthcare providers, which sparked my interest. The students reported receiving inconsistent recommendations for concussion recovery and guidelines from medical professionals, in both methods of delivery and information. An example of this is the recommendation to avoid screen time, while others were told it was okay to use.
Throughout my internship, I had ton of nagging questions, including:
From my research, I came up with the following; properties to measure progress and rehabilitation may vary across facilities and providers, making it more difficult to diagnose TBI. Parents rely on providers to properly assess TBI and pass along information that best fits the needs of patients. Teachers and coaches also rely on this information, and expect the parents to continue with follow-up appointments based on provider recommendations.
Although there is much more progress to be done, there have been strides to close this gap for TBI patients. Healthcare is constantly evolving, with new improvements in technology and treatments everyday. TBI can now be assessed with CAT scans, MRI imaging, cognition tests, and with recent discoveries, research on using blood tests to assess TBI is being further studied. The Glasgow Coma Scale gives healthcare providers a foundation to measure a patient’s functioning, which observes a TBI patient’s ability to speak, open their eyes, and movement ranges.
Tools to determine progress and rehabilitation needs may vary across facilities and providers. Although the use of the previously mentioned tools are useful, some providers may not put a patient through tests they think are unnecessary, or may include tests that aren’t typical for assessment.
Lack of appropriate identification of TBI as the underlying reason for the need for services leading to lack of referrals. Some healthcare facilities do not have the technology that other facilities may have. Protocols vary between facilities, which can contribute to misdiagnosis of TBI.
Inconsistent information given to parents or guardians from providers. Some facilities may urge providers to give all and any information regarding TBI, while others may refrain from doing so to avoid overwhelming patients and parents.
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Although providers can be wrong, it is their due diligence to diagnose a patient how they see best fit.
The lacking evidence regarding traumatic brain injury recovery and rehabilitation highlights the differences in the care that patients are receiving. Awareness on this issue needs to be raised to ensure children are reaching their full potentials as their development continues. It’s time to call on providers and healthcare facilities to become consistent in their tools to measure and treat children with TBI.
No matter the role you play in a child’s life, advocacy is always possible. Ensuring healthcare services for children with TBI are accessible can lessen the amount of untreated TBI cases. Providing education and support for families of children with TBI can urge families to follow-up with care and rehabilitation for their children. Making for a seamless transition back into everyday lives after suffering a TBI can give children support and motivation in their education and activities. Advocating for children when they’re unable to advocate for themselves can make a world of a difference for their development, their future, and their lives, overall.
Kaiden Warner is a senior studying health science at Pace University and is from Warwick, New York.
Kids who have experienced traumatic brain injury need attentionKaiden Warner
22
1
04.05.2024
Not all children are receiving the same level or form of care following a pediatric traumatic brain injury. Those who are on the less fortunate side of these discrepancies are suffering the consequences.
As per the CDC, traumatic brain injury is known as the leading cause of disability in children. Published reports show that each year an estimated 3,000 children and youth die from TBI; 29,000 are hospitalized; and 400,000 are treated in hospital emergency departments.
Following traumatic brain injuries, occupational therapy can play a crucial role in recovery. I was shocked to learn that 31% of children hospitalized with TBI have unmet or unrecognized needs for health services one year after injury.
I saw firsthand the effects that occupational therapy can have on children who have suffered from TBI through my shadowing internship. Working towards goals with an occupational therapist, these children were progressing in their social interactions and interactions with materials that contribute to their activities of daily living.
In a study conducted to highlight the symptoms of TBI, students aged 11-18 participated to bring attention to their concussion symptoms. Although attention was brought to the light sensitivity, dizziness,........
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