[Use of the Glasgow Coma Scale in pediatric craniocerebral trauma].

Over five years the applicability of a modified Glasgow Coma Scale was analysed in 38 children (mean age 7.2 +/- 3.8 years) with head and associated injuries (47.4%). The score was estimated after the accident and in the course of intensive therapy. At the beginning of the treatment on the intensive care unit, the cases were staged according to the severity of the head injuries (Glasgow Coma Scale: 4-8, 9-12 and 13-19 points). At the stage evaluated as between 4 and 8 points, 50% of the patients died and the survivors were ventilated (11.7 +/- 10.7 days) and intensively treated (45.7 +/- 31.5 days). All patients had had neurological damage. Additional injuries worsened the prognosis in the acute phase. 42.9% of the patients received intracranial pressure monitoring. In the patients between 9 and 12 points, the time of ventilation (3.7 +/- 2.9 days) and of intensive therapy (19.5 +/- 13.3 days) decreased. Over 13 points, all patients had a shorter duration of treatment (10.8 +/- 8.8 days) and a quick and good recovery. The Glasgow Coma Scale has the advantage of an examination with a quantitative analysis and resulting effective diagnostic and therapeutic measures. Even the inexperienced physician can use the Glasgow Coma Scale with success at the site of the accident.