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Published in: Intensive Care Medicine 1/2013

01-01-2013 | Pediatric Original

Intensive care for pediatric traumatic brain injury

Authors: A. Sigurtà, C. Zanaboni, K. Canavesi, G. Citerio, L. Beretta, N. Stocchetti

Published in: Intensive Care Medicine | Issue 1/2013

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Abstract

Purposes

The aims of this study are to describe a cohort of head-injured pediatric patients, focusing on current practice for intracranial pressure (ICP) monitoring and treatment and to verify the relationship between clinical and radiological parameters and the six-month outcome in a multivariable statistical model.

Methods

A retrospective review was done of a prospectively collected database considering patients younger than 19 years admitted to three neuro-intensive care units (ICU). Patients were divided into four age groups: 0–5 (infant), 6–12 (children), 13–16 (pre-adolescent) and 17–18 years (adolescent). The ICP and cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP) were analyzed calculating average data and values exceeding thresholds for more than 5 min. Outcome was assessed 6 months after trauma using the Glasgow Outcome Score.

Results

There were 199 patients, 155 male, included. Sixty percent had extracranial injuries. Pupils were abnormal in 38 %. Emergency evacuation of intracranial hematomas was necessary in 81 cases. The ICP was monitored in 117 patients; in 87 cases ICP was higher than 20 mmHg, with no differences among age groups. All but six patients received therapy to prevent raised ICP; barbiturates, deep hyperventilation or surgical decompression were used in 31 cases. At 6 months, mortality was 21 % and favorable outcome was achieved by 72 %. Significant predictors of outcome in the multivariable model were the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) motor score, pupils and ICP.

Conclusions

Pediatric head injury is associated with a high incidence of intracranial hypertension. Early surgical treatment and intensive care may achieve favorable outcome in the majority of cases.
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Metadata
Title
Intensive care for pediatric traumatic brain injury
Authors
A. Sigurtà
C. Zanaboni
K. Canavesi
G. Citerio
L. Beretta
N. Stocchetti
Publication date
01-01-2013
Publisher
Springer-Verlag
Published in
Intensive Care Medicine / Issue 1/2013
Print ISSN: 0342-4642
Electronic ISSN: 1432-1238
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00134-012-2748-0

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