PDF icon Download PDF
Semin Speech Lang 2020; 41(02): 125-142
DOI: 10.1055/s-0040-1701682
Review Article
Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

Traumatic Brain Injury in Young Children: A Scoping Review

Jessica Salley
1   Department of Psychological Sciences, Communication Sciences Program, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio
,
Libby Crook
1   Department of Psychological Sciences, Communication Sciences Program, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio
,
Angela Ciccia
1   Department of Psychological Sciences, Communication Sciences Program, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio
,
Juliet Haarbauer-Krupa
2   Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia
,
Jennifer P. Lundine
3   Department of Speech and Hearing Science, The Ohio State University, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
10 March 2020 (online)

Also available atMedOne
   Permissions and Reprints
Preview

Abstract

To review the evidence available on early childhood (i.e., 0–5 years 11 months) traumatic brain injury (TBI) and identify clinical implications and future directions for speech-language pathology (SLP) practice and research, a scoping review of the literature was conducted following the 2018 Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRSIMA-ScR) guidelines. A total of 44 peer-reviewed articles were included for review. Included studies were assigned one or more of the following thematic labels related to early childhood TBI: etiology, assessment, treatment, outcomes, contributing factors. Most of the studies were nonexperimental studies and addressed outcomes following early childhood TBI. We conclude, based on this scoping review, that children who experience a TBI before 6 years of age are at risk for persistent long-term difficulties in academic and social functioning. SLPs are among the group of clinicians most appropriate to assess and treat these children; yet, the evidence for assessment, treatment, and identification of factors contributing to the recovery of young children with TBI is particularly lacking. Rigorous research is needed to improve the evidence base for SLPs.

Keywords

early childhood - traumatic brain injury - speech-language pathology - assessment - treatment

Disclosures

J.S. and L.C. have no financial or nonfinancial relationships to disclose.


A.C. receives salary from Case Western Reserve University. She has no nonfinancial relationships to disclose.


J.H-K. has no financial or nonfinancial relationships to disclose.


J.P.L. receives salary from The Ohio State University and consultant fees from Nationwide Children's Hospital. She has no nonfinancial disclosures to make.