Traumatic brain injuries in children and young adults: a birth cohort study from northern Finland.

AIMS

Incidence and mortality rates of traumatic brain injury (TBI) were investigated by using the Northern Finland Birth Cohort. This cohort provides a valuable source of data from the population born in 1966 (n = 12,058) in the 2 northernmost provinces of Finland.

METHODS

The cohort was followed for 34 years, and data were gathered from the Finnish Hospital Discharge Register and the Registry for Causes of Death by Statistics Finland.

RESULTS

The annual incidence of and mortality from TBI were 118 and 14/100,000, respectively. Case fatality was 12%. An estimated prevalence of TBI at the age of 34 years was 269/100,000. Peak occurrences were observed at the age of 6-7 years in both genders and at the age of 18-23 years in men. The proportion of TBI mortality out of total mortality was 12%. Young men aged 16-34 years had 10-fold proportionate mortality from TBI compared to boys aged <or=15 years. Alcohol drinking was associated with a particularly prominent number of intentional injuries in young men.

CONCLUSION

Incidence and mortality rates of TBI vary according to age and gender. Peaks occur in children at the age of school entry and in men at the age of 18-23 years. Children have mild injuries, whereas the injuries of young men are frequently intentional and fatal and associated with alcohol drinking.