Growing into Deficit: A Case Study of Delayed Functional Deficits Following Pediatric Traumatic Brain Injury

Description

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.21350780

Srutilaya V. and Savitha Kamakshi (Department of Psychology, Ethiraj College for Women, Chennai, Tamil Nadu)

Traumatic Brain Injuries often result in complex cognitive profiles and other impairments that sustain over a developmental lifespan. With the use of qualitative case analysis approach, the present case study investigates the long-term physiological and psychological complications of TBI. The study highlights the factors that resulted in a cognitive profile in the minor fall of a 22-year old female. Further exploration was done to understand the developmental history, physiological and psychological functioning as well. Findings demonstrate that the patient’s TBI resulted in structural changes including gliosis, encephalomalacia and recurrent seizures. Other symptom manifestations occurred only during adolescence as IDD, ADHD and cognitive deficits, such as sustained attention, problems in mathematics, working memory, decision-making, problem solving and abstract reasoning. Further behavioral issues, such as aggression, emotional outbursts and sleep disturbances were combined with emotional and social consequences, like adjustment, mood swings and communication issues. Additional influences of environmental factors, namely maternal detachment, were also seen. As such, this case illustrates the effect of “growing into deficits”, the enduring developmental impact of an early-life Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) on neurocognitive and emotional development. This highlights the need and importance of early detection, consistent neuroimaging, and having the utmost caution with regard to TBIs in future cases as a preventative measure.