Seattle Injury Lawyer Blog
Adults and children respond to certain kinds of injuries similarly and certain kinds of injuries in very different ways. A study recently completed by scientific experts at Brown University confirms that when children suffer traumatic brain injuries (TBI), they become much more likely to suffer depression. This long term side effect was already linked to brain injury and concussion in adults. Physicians, safety experts and parents should now take care to watch for similar symptoms in affected children.
The study’s authors explained their findings broadly when they noted that, “Brain injury remains significantly associated with depression in children despite adjustment for known predictors. This study may enable better prognostication for brain-injured children and facilitate identification of those at high risk of depression.” This conclusion was made in regards to children who have suffered concussions as well as those who have experienced more severe TBIs.
The prevalence of TBI among children has become the subject of much media coverage in recent years. In addition to TBIs sustained in car accidents and in falls, the media has become especially interested in the TBIs that young athletes suffer during contact sports. Increased media attention on this issue has helped to inspire a great deal of research on the issue, including the recent Brown study.
Hopefully TBI prevention specialists, physicians and parents will all find this information to be valuable in appropriately treating affected children. In addition, the study will hopefully inspire additional research on how to better treat depression in TBI victims specifically.
Source: Medical Daily, “Depression 2 Times More Likely In Children With Brain Injuries; Brain Damage Operates Similarly In Children And Adults,” Susan Scutti, Oct. 24, 2013