Traumatic brain injury in childhood
Section: Originals
How to quote
Pérez V, Garibotti G. Traumatismo craneoencefálico en la infancia. Metas Enferm abr 2017; 20(3): 56-60.
Authors
Vanesa Pérez1, Gilda Garibotti2
Position
1Licenciada en Enfermería. Hospital Zonal Bariloche “Dr. Ramón Carrillo”. San Carlos de Bariloche. Río Negro (Argentina)2Doctora en Estadística. Profesora. Departamento de Estadística. Centro Regional Universitario Bariloche. Universidad Nacional del Comahue. San Carlos de Bariloche. Río Negro (Argentina)
Contact address
Gilda Garibotti. Centro Regional Universitario Bariloche. Universidad Nacional del Comahue. C/ Quintral, 1250 (Bº Jardín Botánico). San Carlos de Bari
Contact email: garibottig@comahue-conicet.gob.ar
Abstract
Objective: to determine the prevalence of traumatic brain injury (TBI) in paediatric patients from the Hospital Zonal Bariloche (Argentina) and to describe the characteristics of patients and the cause of the injury.
Methodology: all patients <15-year-old with TBI seen at the Hospital ER during 2012 were included, as well as those admitted to the hospital during 2012 and 2013. The characteristics assessed were gender and age of patients, and place, cause and time of the TBI.
Results: there were 442 consultations for TBI at ER, representing 4% of the paediatric visits. The mean age was 4.6 years; 55% of injured patients were male. The difference in prevalence between genders increased with age. The incidence of visits was higher during times of recreational activities: afternoon and evenings, weekends, spring and summer. Twenty-six (26) patients were admitted to hospital. Primarily, the most frequent causes of TBI were falls and car accidents. The highest number of TBIs occurred at home (41% of cases).
Conclusions: there is a medium-high prevalence of TBIs during childhood. Nurses should conduct educational interventions for parents/caregivers and children during stages of childhood development (mainly in the most vulnerable age groups, such as <5-year-old children), focused on an improvement of care attitudes and prevention of accidents, in order to contribute to a reduction in the number and severity of TBIs.
Keywords:
traumatic brain injury; paediatrics; health promotion; injury prevention
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