Evaluation and Management of Traumatic Brain Injuries in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit.

In this overview, intended for a multidisciplinary readership, we address the challenges in early management of children who have sustained mild, moderate, or severe traumatic brain injuries. Pediatric traumatic brain injuries (pTBIs) present unique diagnostic and management challenges as compared with adults. Proper management requires careful interpretation of data and strong clinical judgment. Children with injuries due to nonaccidental trauma present unique diagnostic and management challenges. In the pediatric intensive care unit, care is provided as part of a multidisciplinary, collaborative team, with medical and surgical interventions tailored to injury severity. Intensive care focuses on managing cerebral perfusion, temperature, mechanical ventilation, and continuous EEG monitoring to mitigate secondary brain injury. Long-term recovery emphasizes multidisciplinary rehabilitation and support to address physical, cognitive, and emotional challenges.