Impact of Intracranial Hypertension on Outcome of Severe Traumatic Brain Injury Pediatric Patients: A 15-Year Single Center Experience

Abstract

Background: Intracranial hypertension (IC-HTN) is significantly associated with higher risk for an unfavorable outcome in pediatric trauma. Intracranial pressure (ICP) monitoring is widely becoming a standard of neurocritical care for children. Methods: The present study was designed to evaluate influences of IC-HTN on clinical outcomes of pediatric TBI patients. Demographic, injury severity, radiologic characteristics were used as possible predictors of IC-HTN or of functional outcome. Results: A total of 118 pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) patients with severe TBI (sTBI) were included. Among sTBI cases, patients with GCS p = 0.001). A multivariable predictive logistic regression analysis distinguished the ICP-monitored patients at risk for developing IC-HTN. The model finally revealed that higher ISS and Helsinki CT score increased the odds for developing IC-HTN (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The present study highlights the importance of ICP-guided clinical practices, which may lead to increasing percentages of good recovery for children.

Keywords

• ICP monitoring
• intracranial pressure
• brain injury
• pediatric
• trauma