[Implementation of a pediatric unit of acquired brain injury in subacute phase in the public health system. Epidemiological, clinical and initial evolution characteristics of the patients attended]. / Implantación de una unidad pediátrica de daño cerebral adquirido en fase subaguda en el sistema público de salud. Características epidemiológicas, clínicas y de evolución inicial de los pacientes atendidos.

INTRODUCTION: Acquired brain injury (ABI) is defined as a neurological injury, acutely occurred, at some point in life causing impairment or loss of functional capacity. In 2019, a specific document was created by the Ombudsman pointing out the relevance of attention to this entity in the pediatric age. PATIENTS AND METHOD: The process of creation and the casuistry of care of one of the first comprehensive care units for subacute ACD in pediatric age within the public health system is presented. RESULTS: Different clinical guidelines have been prepared on the admission and care process within the unit, both for patients and their relatives. Twenty-four patients ≤18 years old, admitted to the subacute phase ACD unit from November 2019 to July 2021, 12 coming from the Community of Madrid, were attended. The median age was 6.97 years. Traumatic mechanism was the most frequent, with iatrogenic causes predominating, followed by precipitation and vehicle-related accidents. On admission to the unit, 8 maintained a minimally conscious/vegetative state. The collaboration of up to 14 different specialists was required due to the complexity of the patients. The overall evolution was favorable in 23 cases, with sequelae in all of them. CONCLUSION: The creation of units specialized in pediatric ACD care with specific action protocols and coordinated trans- and multidisciplinary work is of vital importance.

A neuropsychological approach in a paediatric acquired brain injury unit under the public health system.

INTRODUCTION: Paediatric acquired brain injury (ABI) causes cognitive and behavioural difficulties and alters the course of child development. The ABI unit at Hospital Infantil Universitario Niño Jesús is the first within the public Spanish health system to provide comprehensive coverage to these patients and their families. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to show the working methodology followed with patients and their families, and to describe the clinical characteristics of the patients treated and the outcomes of treatment. PATIENTS: Fifty-three patients aged between 3 months and 16 and a half years received treatment. The conditions treated were brain tumours, stroke, traumatic brain injury, damage secondary to epilepsy surgery, and hypoxia. METHODS: All patients were evaluated at admission and at discharge. Treatments were adapted to each patient's difficulties and their severity, as well as to the patient's age. Families received individual and group therapy. RESULTS: Older age was associated with better cognitive recovery and shorter duration of treatment. Different conditions show differential impact on intelligence quotient and developmental quotient scores at the beginning of treatment, with hypoxia and encephalitis being associated with greatest severity. Intelligence quotient and developmental quotient scores and visual memory and attention scores at discharge improved significantly after the faceted neuropsychological treatment with respect to scores registered at admission. CONCLUSIONS: The care of patients with ABI should include neuropsychological rehabilitation programmes and provide emotional support to the family so that they may actively participate in the recovery of the child or adolescent.

A neuropsychological approach in a paediatric acquired brain injury unit under the public health system. / Abordaje neuropsicológico en una unidad pediátrica de daño cerebral adquirido del sistema público de salud.

INTRODUCTION: Paediatric acquired brain injury (ABI) causes cognitive and behavioural difficulties and alters the course of child development. The ABI unit at Hospital Infantil Universitario Niño Jesús is the first within the public Spanish health system to provide comprehensive coverage to these patients and their families. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to show the working methodology followed with patients and their families, and to describe the clinical characteristics of the patients treated and the outcomes of treatment. PATIENTS: Fifty-three patients aged between three months and 16 and a half years received treatment. The conditions treated were brain tumours, stroke, traumatic brain injury, damage secondary to epilepsy surgery, and hypoxia. METHODS: All patients were evaluated at admission and at discharge. Treatments were adapted to each patient's difficulties and their severity, as well as to the patient's age. Families received individual and group therapy. RESULTS: Older age was associated with better cognitive recovery and shorter duration of treatment. Different conditions show differential impact on intelligence quotient and developmental quotient scores at the beginning of treatment, with hypoxia and encephalitis being associated with greatest severity. Intelligence quotient and developmental quotient scores and visual memory and attention scores at discharge improved significantly after the faceted neuropsychological treatment with respect to scores registered at admission. CONCLUSIONS: The care of patients with ABI should include neuropsychological rehabilitation programmes and provide emotional support to the family so that they may actively participate in the recovery of the child or adolescent.