Parent-Reported Health-Related Quality of Life in Children With Traumatic Brain Injury: A Prospective Study

To identify which specific aspects of health-related quality of life (HRQL) are affected by traumatic brain injury (TBI) injury severity (Severity), time since injury (Time), and the interaction between Severity and Time, in a pediatric sample. It was hypothesized that Severity would decrease HRQL, Time would increase HRQL, and time to recover would be protracted for children with severe TBI. This study followed a pediatric sample (n = 182, aged 6-14 years, recruited through three Australian hospitals) who sustained a mild or moderate-severe TBI across 3, 6, 12, and 18 months post-TBI. 12 specific HRQL outcomes were assessed via the Child Health Questionnaire-Parent Form 50 questionnaire. Dimensions of HRQL were differentially affected. Children with moderate-severe TBI generally experienced greater initial dysfunction than children with mild TBI; however, this difference disappeared by 18 months post-TBI. Specific time points where HRQL outcomes may remediate are identified, and clinical recommendations regarding intervention strategies are discussed.