Relationships between cerebral flow velocities and neurodevelopmental outcomes in children with moderate to severe traumatic brain injury

Purpose This study aimed to determine relationships between cerebral blood flow and neurodevelopmental outcomes in children with moderate to severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). Methods Children with TBI, a Glasgow Coma Score of 8–12, and abnormal brain imaging were enrolled prospectively. Cerebral blood flow velocity (CBFV) was assessed within 24 h of trauma and daily thereafter through death, discharge, or hospital day 8, whichever came first. Twelve months from injury, participants completed neurodevelopmental testing. Results Sixty-nine patients were enrolled. Low flow velocities ( 2 SD above age and gender normal with a Lindegaard ratio (LR) 2 SD above age/gender normal with LR ≥ 3) was identified in 28% ( n = 19). Children with good outcomes based on GOS-E Peds scoring were more likely to have had normal flow velocity than other flow patterns. No other differences in neurodevelopmental outcomes were noted. Conclusions Individual patient responses to TBI in terms of CBFV alterations were heterogeneous. Low flow was uniformly associated with a poor outcome. Patients with good outcomes were more likely to have normal flow. This suggests CBFV may serve as a prognostic indicator in children with TBI. Future studies are needed to determine if aberrant CBFVs are also a therapeutic target.