Magnetic Resonance Imaging Findings in Infants with Severe Traumatic Brain Injury and Associations with Abusive Head Trauma

Predicting and improving outcome in severe pediatric traumatic brain injury

INTRODUCTION

Severe pediatric traumatic brain injury (spTBI), including abusive head trauma (AHT) in young children, is a major public health problem. Long-term consequences of spTBI include a large variety of physical, neurological, biological, cognitive, behavioral and social deficits and impairments.

AREAS COVERED

The present narrative review summarizes studies and reviews published from January 2019 to February 2024 on spTBI. Significant papers published before 2019 were also included. The article gives coverage to the causes of spTBI, its epidemiology and fatality rates; disparities, inequalities, and socioeconomic factors; critical care; outcomes; and interventions.

EXPERT OPINION

There are disparities between countries and according to socio-economic factors regarding causes, treatments and outcomes of spTBI. AHT has an overall poor outcome. Adherence to critical care guidelines is imperfect and the evidence-base of guidelines needs further investigations. Neuroimaging and biomarker predictors of outcomes is a rapidly evolving domain. Long-term cognitive, behavioral and psychosocial difficulties are the most prevalent and disabling. Their investigation should make a clear distinction between objective (clinical examination, cognitive tests, facts) and subjective measures (estimations using patient- and proxy-reported questionnaires), considering possible common source bias in reported difficulties. Family/caregiver-focused interventions, ecological approaches, and use of technology in delivery of interventions are recommended to improve long-term difficulties after spTBI.

Effectiveness of Fosphenytoin and Levetiracetam to Prevent Posttraumatic Seizures in Young Children with Accidental or Abusive Traumatic Brain Injury

BACKGROUND

Seizures occur frequently in pediatric patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI), particularly abusive head trauma (AHT). There are limited data on the effectiveness of fosphenytoin and levetiracetam to prevent posttraumatic seizures.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective single center cohort study of children < 3 years old admitted with mild [Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score 13-15], moderate (GCS 9-12), and severe (GCS 3-8) TBI at a level I trauma center from 2011 to 2021. Antiseizure medications were used at the discretion of the treating physicians. Nonparametric tests were used to compare antiseizure medication prophylaxis and TBI etiology.

RESULTS

A total of 717 patients (263 with AHT, 454 with accidental TBI) were included, of whom 135 (19%) received fosphenytoin, 152 (21%) received levetiracetam, and 430 (60%) did not receive any seizure prophylaxis. Over the study period, the use of fosphenytoin prophylaxis decreased (R2 = 0.67, p = 0.004), whereas the use of levetiracetam increased (R2 = 0.51, p = 0.008). Additionally, the occurrence of early posttraumatic seizures decreased (R2 = 0.58, p = 0.006). Children with AHT were more likely to receive any seizure prophylaxis than those with accidental TBI (52% vs. 27%; p < 0.001) and were more likely to have ≥ 1 seizure during hospitalization (22% vs. 4%; p < 0.001). Among children who received seizure prophylaxis, those who received fosphenytoin had a higher occurrence of seizures than those who received levetiracetam (33% vs.18%; p = 0.004). After controlling for age, admission year, TBI mechanism, and severity of injury, we observed no differences in seizure occurrence between groups.

CONCLUSIONS

In children < 3 years old with TBI, no differences were observed in occurrence of seizures between patients who received fosphenytoin and patients who received levetiracetam prophylaxis after controlling for patient factors including severity of injury. Levetiracetam may be an equally effective alternative to fosphenytoin for seizure prophylaxis for early posttraumatic seizure prevention in this age group.

Shaking Up Our Approach: The Need for Characterization and Optimization of Pre-clinical Models of Infant Abusive Head Trauma

Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are a large societal and individual burden. In the first year of life, the vast majority of these injuries are the result of inflicted abusive events by a trusted caregiver. Abusive head trauma (AHT) in infants, formerly known as shaken baby syndrome, is the leading cause of inflicted mortality and morbidity in this population. In this review we address clinical diagnosis, symptoms, prognosis, and neuropathology of AHT, emphasizing the burden of repetitive AHT. Next, we consider existing animal models of AHT, and we evaluate key features of an ideal model, highlighting important developmental milestones in children most vulnerable to AHT. We draw on insights from other injury models, such as repetitive, mild TBIs (RmTBIs), post-traumatic epilepsy (PTE), hypoxic-ischemic injuries, and maternal neglect, to speculate on key knowledge gaps and underline important new opportunities in pre-clinical AHT research. Finally, potential treatment options to facilitate healthy development in children following an AHT are considered. Together, this review aims to drive the field toward optimized, well-characterized animal models of AHT, which will allow for greater insight into the underlying neuropathological and neurobehavioral consequences of AHT.

MRI and Clinical Variables for Prediction of Outcomes After Pediatric Severe Traumatic Brain Injury

Importance

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a leading cause of death and disability in children, and predicting functional outcome after TBI is challenging. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is frequently conducted after severe TBI; however, the predictive value of MRI remains uncertain.

Objectives

To identify early MRI measures that predict long-term outcome after severe TBI in children and to assess the added predictive value of MRI measures over well-validated clinical predictors.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This preplanned prognostic study used data from the Approaches and Decisions in Acute Pediatric TBI (ADAPT) prospective observational comparative effectiveness study. The ADAPT study enrolled 1000 consecutive children (aged <18 years) with severe TBI between February 1, 2014, and September 30, 2017. Participants had a Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score of 8 or less and received intracranial pressure monitoring. Magnetic resonance imaging scans performed as part of standard clinical care within 30 days of injury were collected at 24 participating sites in the US, UK, and Australia. Summary imaging measures were correlated with the Glasgow Outcome Scale-Extended for Pediatrics (GOSE-Peds), and the predictive value of MRI measures was compared with the International Mission for Prognosis and Analysis of Clinical Trials in TBI (IMPACT) core clinical predictors. Data collection, image analysis, and data analyses were completed in July 2023.

Exposures

Pediatric severe TBI with an MRI scan performed as part of clinical care.

Main Outcomes and Measures

All measures were selected a priori. Magnetic resonance imaging measures included contusion, ischemia, diffuse axonal injury, intracerebral hemorrhage, and brainstem injury. Clinical predictors included the IMPACT core measures (GCS motor score and pupil reactivity). All models adjusted for age and sex. Outcome measures included the GOSE-Peds score obtained at 3, 6, and 12 months after injury.

Results

This study included 233 children with severe TBI who were enrolled at participating sites and had an MRI scan and preselected clinical predictors available. Their median age was 6.9 (IQR, 3.0-13.3) years, and more than half of participants (134 [57.5%]) were male. In a multivariable model including MRI measures and IMPACT core clinical variables, contusion volume (odds ratio [OR], 1.13; 95% CI, 1.02-1.26), brain ischemia (OR, 2.11; 95% CI, 1.58-2.81), brainstem lesions (OR, 5.40; 95% CI, 1.90-15.35), and pupil reactivity were each independently associated with GOSE-Peds score. Adding MRI measures to the IMPACT clinical predictors significantly improved model fit and discrimination between favorable and unfavorable outcomes compared with IMPACT predictors alone (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve, 0.77; 95% CI, 0.72-0.85 vs 0.67; 95% CI, 0.61-0.76 for GOSE-Peds score >3 at 6 months after injury).

Conclusions and Relevance

In this prognostic study of children with severe TBI, the addition of MRI measures significantly improved outcome prediction over well-established and validated clinical predictors. Magnetic resonance imaging should be considered in children with severe TBI to inform prognosis and may also promote stratification of patients in future clinical trials.

Acute Computer Tomography Findings in Pediatric Accidental Head Trauma-Review

Head trauma in paediatric patients is a worldwide and constant issue. It is the number one cause for childhood mortality and morbidity. Children of all ages are susceptible to sustaining head trauma and the anatomical characteristics of the region put them in a high-risk category for developing severe traumatic brain injuries. Boys are more frequently victims of accidental head traumas, and their injuries are more severe than those encountered in girls. The mechanisms of the trauma are a determining factor for the types of lesions we find. The traumatic injuries fall into two categories, primary and secondary. Primary traumatic injuries can be severe and life threatening, and their presence needs to be documented in order to set the correct therapeutic conduct. Due to their importance, this pictorial review focuses on them and the images used herein are selected from the database of our hospital. It is important to distinguish each of the different injuries that can be encountered. At the same time, radiologists are advised to remember that for children up to five years of age, some non-accidental imaging findings may appear to coincide with those found in accidental head trauma.

Do Racial and Ethnic Disparities Exist in Intensity of Intracranial Pressure-Directed Therapies and Outcomes Following Pediatric Severe Traumatic Brain Injury?

INTRODUCTION

Studies suggest disparities in outcomes in minoritized children after severe traumatic brain injury. We aimed to evaluate for disparities in intracranial pressure-directed therapies and outcomes after pediatric severe traumatic brain injury.

METHODS

We conducted a secondary analysis of the Approaches and Decisions for Acute Pediatric TBI (ADAPT) Trial, which enrolled pediatric severe traumatic brain injury patients (Glasgow Coma Scale score  ≤8) with an intracranial pressure monitor from 2014 to 2018. Patients admitted outside of the United States were excluded. Patients were categorized by race and ethnicity (Hispanic, non-Hispanic Black, non-Hispanic White, and "Other"). We evaluated outcomes by assessing mortality and 3-month Glasgow Outcome Score-Extended for Pediatrics. Our analysis involved parametric and nonparametric testing.

MAIN RESULTS

A total of 671 children were analyzed. Significant associations included older age in non-Hispanic White patients (P < .001), more surgical evacuations in "Other" (P < .001), and differences in discharge location (P = .040). The "other" cohort received hyperventilation less frequently (P = .046), although clinical status during Paco2 measurement was not known. There were no other significant differences in intracranial pressure-directed therapies. Hispanic ethnicity was associated with lower mortality (P = .004) but did not differ in unfavorable outcome (P = .810). Glasgow Outcome Score-Extended for Pediatrics was less likely to be collected for non-Hispanic Black patients (69%; P = .011).

CONCLUSIONS

Our analysis suggests a general lack of disparities in intracranial pressure-directed therapies and outcomes in children after severe traumatic brain injury. Lower mortality in Hispanic patients without a concurrent decrease in unfavorable outcomes, and lower availability of Glasgow Outcome Score-Extended for Pediatrics score for non-Hispanic Black patients merit further investigation.

New Functional Impairment After Hospital Discharge by Traumatic Brain Injury Mechanism in Younger Than 3 Years Old Admitted to the PICU in a Single Center Retrospective Study

OBJECTIVES

Children who suffer traumatic brain injury (TBI) are at high risk of morbidity and mortality. We hypothesized that in patients with TBI, the abusive head trauma (AHT) mechanism vs. accidental TBI (aTBI) would be associated with higher frequency of new functional impairment between baseline and later follow-up.

DESIGN

Retrospective single center cohort study.

SETTING AND PATIENTS

Children younger than 3 years old admitted with TBI to the PICU at a level 1 trauma center between 2014 and 2019.

INTERVENTIONS

None.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

Patient characteristics, TBI mechanism, and Functional Status Scale (FSS) scores at baseline, hospital discharge, short-term (median, 10 mo [interquartile range 3-12 mo]), and long-term (median, 4 yr [3-6 yr]) postdischarge were abstracted from the electronic health record. New impairment was defined as an increase in FSS greater than 1 from baseline. Patients who died were assigned the highest score (30). Multivariable logistic regression was performed to determine the association between TBI mechanism with new impairment. Over 6 years, there were 460 TBI children (170 AHT, 290 aTBI), of which 13 with AHT and four with aTBI died. Frequency of new impairment by follow-up interval, in AHT vs. aTBI patients, were as follows: hospital discharge (42/157 [27%] vs. 27/286 [9%]; p < 0.001), short-term (42/153 [27%] vs. 26/259 [10%]; p < 0.001), and long-term (32/114 [28%] vs. 18/178 [10%]; p < 0.001). Sensory, communication, and motor domains were worse in AHT patients at the short- and long-term timepoint. On multivariable analysis, AHT mechanism was associated with greater odds (odds ratio [95% CI]) of poor outcome (death and new impairment) at hospital discharge (4.4 [2.2-8.9]), short-term (2.7 [1.5-4.9]), and long-term timepoints (2.4 [1.2-4.8]; p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

In patients younger than 3 years old admitted to the PICU after TBI, the AHT mechanism-vs. aTBI-is associated with greater odds of poor outcome in the follow-up period through to ~5 years postdischarge. New impairment occurred in multiple domains and only AHT patients further declined in FSS over time.

Ophthalmic imaging in abusive head trauma

BACKGROUND

Ophthalmic imaging plays an increasingly important role the evaluation of abusive head trauma, however these imaging modalities may be unfamiliar to non-ophthalmologists.

OBJECTIVE

To provide pediatricians and child abuse pediatric professionals with background on ophthalmic imaging techniques in the context of suspected abuse, as well as information on commercial options and costs for those interested in augmenting their ophthalmic imaging capabilities.

METHODS

We performed a review of the ophthalmic imaging literature for fundus photography, ocular coherence tomography, fluorescein angiography, ocular ultrasound, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging and postmortem imaging. We also contacted individual vendors for equipment pricing information.

RESULTS

For each ophthalmic imaging modality, we demonstrate its role in the evaluation of abusive head trauma including indications, potential findings, sensitivity and specificity of findings for abuse, and commercial options.

CONCLUSIONS

Ophthalmic imaging is an important supportive component of the evaluation for abusive head trauma. When used in conjunction with clinical examination, ophthalmic imaging can improve diagnostic accuracy, support documentation, and possibly improve communication in medicolegal contexts.