Brain injuries can happen to individuals of all ages as a result of many different things. Sometimes car accidents are to blame. Other times bicycle accidents or falls result in a brain injury. In the case of children it is possible that child abuse or sports could be the cause as well. While traumatic brain injuries can seriously impact the way someone lives their life, in the worst cases death is the end result. While it is horrible when anyone suffers such an injury, most would agree that it is particularly upsetting when the injured individual is a child.
Recently it was announced that researchers from two area institutions– the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health and the Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC—will be conducting a study regarding the best way to treat brain injuries in children. The study, which will take place over the span of five years, will cost $16.5 million. A total of 1,000 individuals under the age of 19, from countries around the world, will be included in the study.
There are several treatment methods that the study will focus on, including:
- Strategies to treat secondary injuries
- Ways to lower intracranial pressure
- How nutrients could best be delivered
The study could have a big impact on the outcome of traumatic brain injuries in children. It is estimated that in the United States alone, 7,000 children die each year as a result of suffering a traumatic brain injury classified as severe. Even those who do survive may never have a normal life and require extensive medical care. This can be expensive. Accordingly, some might find it helpful to seek financial compensation via a personal injury lawsuit. If successful, it could make things much easier for the injured child and his or her caregivers.
Source: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, “Pitt, UPMC to lead study of severe brain injuries in youth,” Michael A. Fuoco, July 26, 2013