The Canadian Institute for Health Research (CIHR) has awarded a $370,000 grant for long-term follow-up of children with acquired brain injury (ABI). This research project is a collaboration between the CanChild Centre for Childhood Disability, the School of Rehabilitation Science, McMaster University and McMaster Children's Hospital.

The investigators of this study include: Carol DeMatteo, clinical specialist, occupational therapy at McMaster Children's Hospital and associate professor of McMaster University's School of Rehabilitation Science; Steven Hanna, assistant professor at McMaster University and co-investigator at CanChild; Mary Law, associate dean of the School of Rehabilitation Science and co-director of Canchild; Louise Scott, neuropsychologist; Bill Mahoney, director of developmental pediatrics at McMaster Children's Hospital;
and Anne Newman, occupational therapist at McMaster Children's Hospital.

This research will build on a recently completed three-year study, funded by the Ontario Neurotrauma Foundation, which followed children who were admitted to McMaster Children's Hospital with ABI.

“The new study, “Trajectories and consequences: long-term follow-up of children and youth and their families after acquired brain injury” will attempt to follow the same 189 children for a longer period, up to seven years after injury to explore the long-term effects of brain injury and the resulting quality of life for the children and families,” said Carol DeMatteo.

Acquired brain injury is defined as damage to the brain, which occurs at least seven days after birth and is not related to congenital neurodevelopmental disorder. The damage may be caused by traumatic injury to the brain or a non-traumatic cause such as stroke, tumour, aneurysm, anoxia or an infection.

ABI is the leading cause of death and long-term disability among children in western countries. The consequences of ABI include physical, cognitive, behavioural, medical, social, and economic outcomes. Recovery from childhood ABI is a developmental process that occurs over time and outcomes are highly variable.

In the Niagara, Hamilton and Waterloo regions, the number of ABI cases is increasing with time, with a significant increase in the last two years. An average of 18 new children and youth with ABI are admitted each month to McMaster Children's Hospital, which serves the central west/central south region of Ontario.