After a brain injury, there may be changes that affect your child's physical function, cognition (thinking), personality, behaviour and communication.For children with more severe ABI, recovery usually continues for several years following the injury, but is usually most rapid in the early weeks to months afterwards. The rate of recovery is different for everyone. The team will work in partnership with your child and family to maximise Doctors use many methods to determine the severity of a brain injury, including the rate of recovery, the area of the brain affected, the response to treatment or rehabilitation, and the timeįollowing the injury when they are confused, disorientated and have a poor day-to-day memory (post-traumatic amnesia)Ĭhildren with an ABI are treated by a rehabilitation team, which may include doctors, nurses, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, social workers, speech pathologists, music therapists and psychologists. It takes a long time to work out how serious a brain injury is and what the long-term effects may be. Diffuse injuries often happen after a motor vehicle accident or a fall, where the brain has had a shake that causes damage to the connections between nerve cells. This type of damage is called diffuse axonal injury and is spread across a larger part of the brain than aįocal injury. Because a larger part of the brain is damaged, it means your child may have more problems as a result of the injury.There is often bruising to the brain below the fracture. Focal injuries usually happen after a direct blow to the head, causing a skull fracture.A child can have both types of injury as a result of trauma. a lack of oxygen to the brain (also called hypoxic-ischaemic events), which can result from near-drowning accidents, prolonged seizures or cardiac (heart) complications.īrain injury can be classified as focal or diffuse.
infections around the brain, such as meningitis and encephalitis.traumatic brain injury (from falls, motor vehicle accidents, sports).In Australia, the most common causes of ABI in children are: Doctors will examine the child to determine whether they have a brain injury and how serious it is.
slurred speech, confusion, seizures, unable to be roused). problems expressing themselves or understanding other people).Ĭall an ambulance for any child who has had a head injury involving a change in their level of consciousness (e.g. problems with emotional control, less aware of other’s feelings) problems with attention and concentration, difficulty in planning and organisation) levels of fatigue (they can become tired out more easily, both mentally and physically).weakness, poor balance, poor coordination) In the longer term, your child may show changes in: Initially after a brain injury, your child might be in a coma (be unconscious) or have concussion (be drowsy and confused). Signs and symptoms of acquired brain injury Recovery often takes many years after the injury, and many children will have long-term damage. The effects can range from mild to severe, and may include changes in your child's physical ability, cognitive (thinking) skills, personality,Įach child's recovery will be different and takes different lengths of time.
The effects of an ABI on children can vary greatly, and will depend on the part of the brain that suffered the damage and the amount of damage caused. There are many different causes of brain injury, including traffic accidents, sports accidents or infections and lack of oxygen to the brain (e.g. Acquired brain injury (ABI) is when the brain is damaged due to something that happens after birth.
0 kommentar(er)
