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Weight gain after childhood traumatic brain injury: a matter of concern
Author(s) -
JOURDAN CLAIRE,
BRUGEL DOMINIQUE,
HUBEAUX KATELYNE,
TOURE HANNA,
LAURENTVANNIER ANNE,
CHEVIGNARD MATHILDE
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
developmental medicine and child neurology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.658
H-Index - 143
eISSN - 1469-8749
pISSN - 0012-1622
DOI - 10.1111/j.1469-8749.2012.04291.x
Subject(s) - traumatic brain injury , overweight , body mass index , weight gain , medicine , pediatrics , body weight , psychiatry
Aim The aim of the study was to assess weight changes after traumatic brain injury (TBI) in children and the factors influencing them. Method We conducted a longitudinal observational study of children with TBI of mixed severity who were consecutively admitted to one rehabilitation department (39 children; 23 males, 16 females; median age 8y 7mo; 25th to 75th centiles 3y 7mo–11y 6mo). Weight and height before TBI were obtained from the children’s records and were measured monthly for 1 year after TBI. Body mass index (BMI) and BMI z ‐scores were calculated, and pre‐TBI values were compared with the final values using paired tests. Linear mixed‐effect interaction models were used to assess the effect of various factors on z ‐score evolution. Results Z‐score curves revealed early weight loss followed by a rapid increase in weight. The mean BMI gain over the period under study was 0.9kg/m² ( p < 0.001) and the mean z ‐score gain was 0.4 ( p = 0.006). Six children had become overweight by the time of final assessment. Factors associated with a greater rate of increase in the post‐TBI z ‐score were mobility restriction, male sex, and older age. Global pre‐ to post‐TBI weight gain was significantly higher in males ( z ‐score 0.7). Pituitary hormonal testing was available for 17 children at 3 months and for 27 at 1 year. Growth hormone deficiency was detected in one child. Interpretation Weight gain of children during the first year after TBI was rapid and excessive. Male sex was a risk factor for excessive weight gain.