Article

OBJECTIVE: To obtain parental ratings of children's quality of life,
cognitive, emotional and behavioural functioning, as well as ratings of service
provision, following traumatic brain injury (TBI). RESEARCH DESIGN: A
retrospective, cross-sectional study. METHODS: Parents of 47
children with mild or moderate-severe TBI completed standardized questionnaires
evaluating quality of life (PedsQL 4.0) and cognitive, emotional and behavioural
functioning (Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire). Data collected was
compared with published normative data for these scales. Views regarding parental
experiences of care and their ratings of service provision were also obtained.
RESULTS: Quality of life was significantly lower in 13-times as many children
with TBI than expected from the normative population. Parents reported that more
than 43% of children with TBI had cognitive, emotional and behavioural
difficulties that impacted on their daily life. Whilst high levels of social
deprivation were found, this did not fully explain the significantly raised
levels of difficulties. Another factor associated with this poor outcome was the
absence of systematic, routine follow-up or intervention. CONCLUSIONS: Parents
frequently reported poor quality of life and cognitive, emotional and behavioural
problems in their children following TBI. These preliminary findings indicate
that children, after TBI, are at risk of developing persistent clinical problems
and require follow-up beyond the acute period of their recovery.

Langue : ANGLAIS