New study regarding long-term effects of traumatic brain injury

Researchers from an out-of-state children’s hospital recently found that when a child suffers from a TBI, that child may potentially experience repercussions of that injury for many years. Specifically, the study found that when a child experiences a mild to moderate traumatic brain injury, he or she is two times more likely to develop attention problems years down the road. Maryland residents may be surprised to learn that, according to the study, there are over 630,000 teens and children in the U.S. that go to the emergency room each year to be treated for TBIs.

The study was presented out of state at an annual meeting for the Association of Academic Physiatrists. The researchers discovered that children who experienced a TBI are more likely to develop ADHD than those who never had a TBI — five times more likely, in fact. Factors such as the home environment and parenting both have significant influence on the child’s recovery.

Children who had a severe TBI showed few effects due to their injuries when in optimal environments. However, children who had milder TBIs had persistent problems when they were from chaotic or disadvantaged homes. The researchers also found that an early response was important for the children’s long-term outcomes.

When an individual suffers a traumatic brain injury, it can be a life-changing, catastrophic or even fatal. When a Maryland resident suffers a TBI due to the negligence of another, an experienced personal injury lawyer can help investigate and review the facts and circumstances and decide upon an appropriate course of action. In so doing, the attorney can help the victim — or the surviving family in the event of a fatal accident — achieve a monetary award to cover all applicable losses.

Source: upi.com, “Study finds long-term effects of traumatic brain injury“, Amy Wallace, Feb. 10, 2017