Recovery in memory function in the first year following TBI in children

PRIMARY OBJECTIVE: To examine memory skills, at acute, 6- and 12-monthly stages, following childhood traumatic brain injury (TBI). RESEARCH DESIGN: Prospective, longitudinal, between-group design, comparing pre-injury and postinjury intellectual and memory measures, across three levels of injury severity. METHODS AND PROCEDURES: Investigation of memory skills in a group of 76 children who had sustained a mild, moderate or severe TBI. Specific tests were used to measure immediate and short-term memory, and more complex multi-trial learning. MAIN OUTCOMES AND RESULTS: The severe TBI group exhibited greater deficits on memory tasks, irrespective of modality, in the acute, 6- and 12-month post-injury stages, in comparison to mild and moderate TBI groups. Performance was dependent on both injury severity and task demands. CONCLUSIONS: Memory difficulties are present during the acute, 6- and 12-months following childhood TBI. With a clearer understanding of the memory deficits following TBI, appropriate strategies can be taught and interventions implemented for these children.