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 / 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

Introducción: El daño cerebral adquirido (DCA) se define como una lesión neurológica, acaecida de forma aguda, en algún momento de la vida provocando deficiencia o pérdida de capacidad funcional. En el año 2019 se crea un documento específico por parte del defensor del pueblo señalando la relevancia de la atención a esta entidad en la edad pediátrica. Pacientes y método: Se presenta el proceso de creación y la casuística de atención de una de las primeras unidades de atención integral al DCA en fase subaguda en edad pediátrica dentro del sistema público de salud.Resultados: Se han elaborado diferentes guías clínicas sobre el proceso de admisión y atención dentro de la unidad, tanto al paciente como a sus familiares. Se han atendido 24 pacientes ≤18 años, ingresados en la unidad de DCA en fase subaguda desde noviembre de 2019 hasta julio de 2021, 12 provenientes de la Comunidad de Madrid. La mediana de edad fue de 6,97 años. El mecanismo traumático fue el más frecuente predominando las causas iatrogénicas, seguido de la precipitación y los accidentes relacionados con vehículos. A su ingreso en la unidad, 8 mantenían un estado de mínima conciencia/vegetativo. Se requirió la colaboración de hasta 14 especialistas diferentes dada la complejidad de los pacientes. La evolución fue globalmente favorable en 23 casos, con secuelas en todos ellos. Conclusión: Es de vital importancia la creación de unidades especializadas en la atención al DCA en edad pediátrica con protocolos de actuación específicos y un trabajo coordinado trans- y multidisciplinar.(AU)

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.(AU)

[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.