Prognostic value of arterial blood gas disturbances for in-hospital mortality in pediatric patients with severe traumatic brain injury.

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the changes of arterial blood gas as a secondary insult in children and young adults suffering from severe traumatic brain injury, and to assess the correlation, if any, with their in-hospital mortality.

Method: In this cross-sectional study, the medical data of all children and adolescents with severe head trauma admitted to the Rasht Poursina Hospital were reviewed between April 2006 and September 2011. Data including age, gender, GCS upon admission, arrival and daily ABG values for the first 3 days, results of brain CT scan, as well as in-hospital mortality rate were collected.