EPIDEMIOLOGY OF TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY IN PEDIATRIC AND ADOLESCENT POPULATION IN COUNTRIES OF VISEGRAD GROUP

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) represents a substantial global and public health as well as a socio-economic problem. It is a common cause of death and disability and affects all age groups and sexes. Among the most vulnerable groups are boys, and adolescents under the age of 25 years. The most frequent causes of TBI are traffic accidents for young adults, and falls for both children and the elderly. The aim of the article is to document similarities and differences among four countries, to formulate a hypothesis for future policy interventions. The study is based on routine, publicly-accessible epidemiological monitoring data (deaths, hospital discharges, years of life lost) obtained from the Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union. Data processing and analysis followed principles of a cross-sectional, population-based epidemiological study. The highest rates were found in the Czech Republic and the lowest in Hungary. Based on the results, authors recognize the need for further efforts to improve the complexity of data, to develop preventive approaches and establish the research priorities. There are plans to initiate a new study based on our results, aiming to elucidate the roots for differences described.