OBJECTIVETo collect basic information on family burdens and long-term influence of children suffered from traumatic brain injury (TBI).

METHODSThrough prospective study, child behavioral problems, and injury-related family burden were assessed longitudinally in children with TBI over 6 months during the post injury period and children's pre-injury family function rated by parents soon after injury. Post injury child behavior and family outcomes were assessed at 6-month follow-up period.

RESULTSThe mean adaptation partnership growth affection and resolve scale (APGAR) score of 113 children before TBI was 7.96 and score after TBI was 6.94, which had significantly difference through t test. The mean APGAR score after 6 months was 7.60, which was significantly different from the hospital data. Among group with severe TBI, the family APGAR score in hospital was significantly smaller than that before injury occurred, and the family APGAR score in 6 months after being discharged from the hospital had no significant difference with the score when staying in the hospital. The three leading dimensions among family burden scale of diseases (FBS) scores after TBI were dimension of family economic burden, family daily life and family entertainment. 6 months later, the three leading dimensions had changed to be as dimension of mental health status, dimension of family relationship and dimension of family economic burden. Mean score of child behavior checklist (CBCL) assessed at 6-months follow up period among 113 children was among normal range.

CONCLUSIONSFamily function of children with TBI was affected by TBI. However, family function could be recovered along with child's convalescence except among children with severe TBI. Long-term pressure of TBI on family was revealed in mental health status and family relationship. In this study, there were no evidence of association between TBI and children's behavior problem.