Do Racial and Ethnic Disparities Exist in Intensity of Intracranial Pressure–Directed Therapies and Outcomes Following Pediatric Severe Traumatic Brain Injury?

Introduction Studies suggest disparities in outcomes in minoritized children after severe traumatic brain injury. We aimed to evaluate for disparities in intracranial pressure–directed therapies and outcomes after pediatric severe traumatic brain injury. Methods We conducted a secondary analysis of the Approaches and Decisions for Acute Pediatric TBI (ADAPT) Trial, which enrolled pediatric severe traumatic brain injury patients (Glasgow Coma Scale score ≤8) with an intracranial pressure monitor from 2014 to 2018. Patients admitted outside of the United States were excluded. Patients were categorized by race and ethnicity (Hispanic, non-Hispanic Black, non-Hispanic White, and “Other”). We evaluated outcomes by assessing mortality and 3-month Glasgow Outcome Score–Extended for Pediatrics. Our analysis involved parametric and nonparametric testing. Main Results A total of 671 children were analyzed. Significant associations included older age in non-Hispanic White patients (P