Diagnosis and management of pediatric mild TBI: CDC Updated guideline

According to an estimate by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 800,000 children seek treatment for traumatic brain injury every year, and about 2.5 million high school students report having had a sports- or physical activity-related concussion within the last 12 months. CDC has come out with its first and only evidence-based pediatric Guideline in the U.S. that is designed for healthcare professionals to use in all settings and covers diagnosis, prognosis, management and treatment for all causes of pediatric mTBI. The guideline has been published in JAMA Pediatrics

With an intention to improve outcomes for patients 18 years and younger who experience concussions and mild traumatic brain injuries (mTBI), the CDC recently published the CDC Guideline on the Diagnosis and Management of Mild Traumatic Brain Injury Among Children, built from a comprehensive review of 25 years of research on the science behind pediatric mTBI. The CDC said its guidelines were based on the "most comprehensive review of the science" over the past 25 years related concussions, which doctors and researchers refer to as mild traumatic brain injury, or mTBI.

The Key recommendations from the Guideline include:

1. Do not routinely image pediatric patients to diagnose mTBI.


2. Use validated, age-appropriate symptom scales to diagnose mTBI.


3. Assess for risk factors for prolonged recovery.


4. Provide patients with instructions on return to activity customized to their symptoms.


5. Counsel patients to return gradually to non-sports activities after no more than two to three days of rest.

"Although this Guideline aims to help healthcare professionals improve treatment and outcomes for youth with mild traumatic brain injuries, many questions remain unanswered about youth concussions and the impact of mild traumatic brain injuries on the developing brain, which is why it is so important for the research community to continue engaging in high-quality research studies on this topic," said Dr. Suskauer. "At the Center for Brain Injury and Recovery, we are committed to continuing our research and expanding our knowledge of pediatric concussions and brain injuries so we can ensure patients have the best opportunity for a positive outcome."

The adoption of the guidelines by doctors will prove key to the standardized system of care for the adult or pediatric patients with TBI in the United States and all over the world.

For more details click on the link: doi:10.1001/jamapediatrics.2018.2853