Timing of traumatic brain injury in childhood and intellectual outcome

Abstract

ObjectiveTypically, studies on outcomes after traumatic brain injury (TBI) have investigated whether a younger age at injury is associated with poorer recovery by comparing 2 age groups rather than participants injured across childhood. This study extended previous research by examining whether the influence of age on recovery fits an early vulnerability or critical developmental periods model.MethodsChildren with a TBI (n=181) were categorized into 4 age-at-injury groups - infant, preschool, middle childhood, and late childhood - and were evaluated at least 2-years post-TBI on IQ.ResultsOverall, the middle childhood group had lower IQ scores across all domains. Infant and preschool groups p..