TBIs and children
Traumatic brain injuries are injuries to the head that affect how the brain normally functions. Parents in Louisiana should be familiar with the long-term effects this type of injury can have on children and adolescents.
The severity of TBIs can vary. They can be mild, often referred to as concussions, or severe, causing a loss of memory and consciousness.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in 2009, nearly 250,000 children and adolescents who were 19 years or younger were treated for TBIs and concussions caused by sports and recreational activities. The CDC also reports that between 2001 and 2009, the number of people 18 years old and younger who were diagnosed with concussions and TBIs resulting from recreational pursuits or sports increased by 57 percent.
The long-term impacts of a TBI can include difficulties with language, emotions, sensations and reasoning. Chronic traumatic encephalopathy, a neurodegenerative disorder that can be caused by repeated TBIs, is another potential long-term consequence of this kind of injury.
A recent study was presented at the annual meeting of the Association of Academic Physiatrists. It presented the results of research that was conducted over a span of 20 years that addressed the long-term effects of TBI on children.
In the study, children who sustained TBIs were evaluated an average of seven years after their injuries occurred. The results indicate that children with mild to moderate brain injuries are twice as likely to develop attention issues than healthy kids, and those with severe TBIs are five times more inclined to suffer from secondary ADHD.
Individuals who sustain brain injuries due to the negligent behavior of another person should speak with a personal injury attorney. A lawyer may file lawsuits to obtain financial compensation from the liable parties that can help his or her clients deal with the long-term effects of their injuries.
Tags: Brain Injuries
