Clinical neurological trauma parameters as predictors for neuropsychological recovery and long-term outcome in paediatric closed head injury: a review of the literature

We present a review of recent prospective studies of long-term outcome in paediatric closed head injury. Special attention is given to the relationship between the neurological trauma parameters and neuropsychological outcome. First we discuss the most important methods of assessing the severity of the injury. We review the most prominent neurobehavioural and cognitive sequelae. Subsequently we address the question of prediction of residual sequelae in view of the early trauma parameters. The main problem when comparing different studies is the lack of procedural uniformity both in assessment of the severity of the injury as well as in measurement of neuropsychological outcome. Inconsistencies and discrepancies among various studies are pointed out. We summarise those results which are supported by many studies and hence are less controversial. In addition we present some recommendations for future investigations.