Mild Brain Injuries Linked to Mental/Behavioral Disorders in Children and Teenagers

In 2021, the AAP, American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Children’s Hospital Association declared a national state of emergency in child and adolescent mental health due to soaring rates of mental health challenges among children and adolescents. Mild traumatic brain injuries may play a part in mental illnesses in young people according to a new study, “MTBI and Risk for Affective and Behavioral Disorders,” in the February 2024 Pediatrics (available online Jan. 25). Mild traumatic brain injuries, which can occur in sports or from a fall, are quite common, representing at least 75% of all traumatic brain injuries annually. Researchers studied electronic health records of 18,917 patients ages 17 and younger from a healthcare system in Northern California with a primary diagnosis of mild traumatic brain injury comparing mental health issues four years following the incident. Those with mild brain injuries were 25% more likely to be diagnosed with an affective disorder, which included depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, and acute stress. For example, post-injury depressive disorders were 17% more likely in the mild brain injury patients, particularly in children ages 10–13, who were over 40% more likely to be diagnosed with depression within two years. For anxiety disorders, those with mild brain injuries were 14% more likely to be diagnosed as anxious. Children ages 10–13 were again at higher risk, with 42% more likely to have anxiety disorders two years post-injury. Researchers concluded that children are at an elevated risk of developing mental and behavioral health issues following a mild traumatic brain injury, particularly children ages 10–13, who had the highest risk of developing depressive, anxiety, and adjustment disorders. While more research is needed, these findings show there is a need for screening for affective and behavior disorders following a mild traumatic brain injury in children and adolescents to identify barriers to recovery.

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The American Academy of Pediatrics is an organization of 67,000 primary care pediatricians, pediatric medical subspecialists and pediatric surgical specialists dedicated to the health, safety and well-being of infants, children, adolescents and young adults.