Mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) accounts for the vast majority of emergency room visits among children with traumatic brain injury. This study was designed to further clarify the behavior sequela of mTBI in children during the first year after injury.

Children between the ages of eight and 15 were recruited from consecutive outpatient emergency department visits of two children's hospitals between 2001 and 2006. Those diagnosed with mTBI were compared with the control group who sustained upper or lower extremity fractures. Children were assessed at baseline and then at follow-up at three and 12 months post injury. Evaluations included parent completed the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) at baseline and at three and 12 month follow-ups. Teacher ratings were obtained by mailing the Teachers Report Form (TRF) to teachers immediately after the 12 month visit.

The findings reveal that younger children (mean age of 10 years) with mTBI had worse parent ratings on the CBCL total behavior problems scale (P<0.001) as compared to those with orthopedic injuries. Factors associated with higher parent or teaching ratings include hospitalization, motor vehicle accidents, loss of consciousness and magnetic resonance imaging abnormalities.

This study found that school-age children with mild traumatic brain injury are at risk for persistent symptoms of behavior problems, with is especially true among younger children