Mild closed head injury in children compared to traumatic fractured bone; neurobehavioural sequelae in daily life 2 years after the accident.

Unlabelled: Two years after an accident resulting in either a mild head injury or a fractured bone, two groups of 22 children each, aged 4-14 years, were examined for the existence of any neurobehavioural symptoms by means of a standardized questionnaire filled out by their caretakers. Selection of the children was based on reports of the Accident and Emergency Department in 1 year. Significantly more symptoms were reported after mild head injury. The main symptoms reported were headache, dizziness, fatigue and memory problems. The total number of symptoms in the children with mild head injury exceeded four times this in the group of children with a fractured bone.

Conclusion: Even 2 years after a mild head injury there are still residual symptoms in daily life.