Behaviour and school performance after brain injury.

PRIMARY OBJECTIVE

To examine the relationship between behavioural problems and school performance following traumatic brain injury (TBI).

SUBJECTS

67 school-age children with TBI (35 mild, 13 moderate, 19 severe) and 14 uninjured matched controls. Parents and children were interviewed at a mean of 2 years post-TBI. Teachers reported on academic performance and educational needs. Children were assessed using the Vineland Adaptive Behaviour Scales (VABS) and the Weschler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC-III).

MAIN OUTCOMES AND RESULTS

Two-thirds of children with TBI exhibited significant behavioural problems, significantly more than controls (p = 0.02). Children with behavioural problems had a mean IQ aproximately 15 points lower than those without (p = 0.001, 95% CI: 7-26.7). At school, 76%(19) of children with behavioural problems also had difficulties with schoolwork. Behavioural problems were associated with social deprivation and parental marital status (p < or = 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

Children with TBI are at risk of developing behavioural problems which may affect school performance. Children with TBI should be screened to identify significant behavioural problems before they return to school.