Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Secondary to Mild Traumatic Brain Injury in the Pediatric Population: what are we missing?

Abstract

Mild Traumatic Brain Injury (mTBI) is the most common traumatic brain injury, however not much is reported on the frequency and duration of long-term consequences, and an exact quantification of impairments is important. Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, one of the most common neurodevelopment's disorders, may be secondary to traumatic brain injury, which in these cases is referred to as secondary attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder. ADHD secondary to TBI is one of the most frequent neurobehavioral consequences of brain injury, not only a reflection of pre-injury characteristics. It must be a combination of injury characteristics and child's variables (age at injury, sex, socioeconomical status and pre-injury behavior) that should determine the approach towards a mTBI. Cognitive rehabilitation interventions introduced after TBI enhance the recovery process and minimize the functional disability while medication traditionally used in primary ADHD needs further evaluation.