Young age as a risk factor for impaired cerebral autoregulation after moderate to severe pediatric traumatic brain injury.

BACKGROUND

Little is known about age and cerebral autoregulation in children with traumatic brain injury (TBI). The authors compared cerebral autoregulation between young (aged <4 yr) and older (aged > or =4 yr) children with TBI.

METHODS

After University of Washington's institutional review board approval, a retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data (May 2002 and June 2007) was performed. Eligibility criteria included age 16 yr or younger, moderate to severe (admission Glasgow Coma Scale score <13) TBI, TBI on computed tomography scan, and tracheal intubation. Cerebral autoregulation testing was performed within 72 h after TBI, and autoregulation was quantified using the autoregulatory index. An autoregulatory index less than 0.4 represents impaired cerebral autoregulation. The 12-month Glasgow outcome score was measured. Data are presented as mean +/- SD or range.

RESULTS

Thirty-seven children (8.9 +/- 5.1 yr; 0.8-16 yr) were enrolled. Children younger than 4 yr had a higher incidence of impaired cerebral autoregulation (8 of 10 vs. 7 of 27; P = 0.006) and worse 12-month outcome (Glasgow outcome score 3.0 +/- 1.0 vs. 4.0 +/- 1.0; P = 0.02) than older children. Age less than 4 yr (adjusted odds ratio, 12.2; 95% confidence interval, 1.5-98.5) and low Glasgow Coma Scale score (adjusted odds ratio for higher Glasgow Coma Scale, 0.53; 95% confidence interval, 0.30-0.96) were independently associated with impaired cerebral autoregulation.

CONCLUSIONS

Age less than 4 yr was a risk factor for impaired cerebral autoregulation, independent of TBI severity. Age-related factors may play a role in the mechanisms maintaining or worsening cerebral autoregulation in children after TBI.