Scientific evidence in the management of traumatic brain injury in pediatrics: ibero-American academy of pediatric neurology

Andrea Espinoza, Pediatría Neurológica, Centro Neurológico Pediátrico Neuroesperanza y Centro Pediátrico Crecer, Quito, Ecuador
Jorge Vidaurre, Pediatría Neurológica, University of Ohio, Ohio, USA
Alcy R. Torres, Pediatría Neurológica, University of Boston, Boston, USA

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a common problem in Latin America and affects many children. Research has advanced, but international publications do not necessarily reflect our reality. For this reason, the Ibero-American Academy of Pediatric Neurology (AINP) formed a committee to review the available evidence, evaluate it, and decide how it could be applied in our region. Articles were searched in different databases and those corresponding to original works were selected, preferably those that received the best qualifications according to the 2011 version of Oxford Levels of Evidence. The main findings are the need to develop a trauma team available throughout the pediatric level III emergency, early monitoring of intracranial pressure, and multimodal monitoring as methods to improve outcomes. We concluded that much remains to be done and more evidence is needed, but more organization is required to provide specialized resources in the emergency care of these patients.

Keywords: Cranial Trauma. Concussion. Management. Children. Adolescents. Treatment.