Prenatal vs. Postnatal

In children, traumatic brain injury (TBI) is not a result of genetic issues. There are no prenatal factors or issues that will cause a child to be at higher risk for developing a TBI. Brain damage can occur in the event of a complicated birth, such as a breach birth or lack of oxygen to the infant. Usually a TBI occurs due to the environment the child is raised in and subjected to. TBI is often found in children and young adults that are victims of abuse, gun shot wounds and physical altercations/accidents. The main issues that a child with a TBI might experience are issues with attention, memory and learning. Children suffering from a brain injury that results in a comatose state for twenty-four hours or more are more susceptible to intellectual disabilities (ID). 

A traumatic brain injury to a child or young adult can result in deficits in one or more of the following areas; intelligence, executive functions, academic, perceptual, psychosocial, memory and family relationships. Damage to the left hemisphere of the brain will cause problems with speech and language. Psychosocial issues include changes in personality and increased psychiatric disorders. Deficits in executive functions include impulsivity, attention deficits, excessive verbalizations, insensitivity and socially inappropriate behaviors. Perceptual deficits are dependent upon the severity of the injury.

Child Neuropsychology 

Behavioral Side Effects

       A person who suffers a traumatic brain injury (TBI) that results in mental retardation (MR), will usually exhibit negative behaviors that were not present prior to the injury. The type of negative behaviors that one may display that are directly caused by the injury depend on the portion of the brain that suffered the injury. Injuries to the frontal lobe, limbic system and cerebral cortex can cause issues with emotional responses and control as well as initiation and motivation. Damage to the frontal lobe and/or temporal lobe can cause frustration and uncontrolled aggression. The aggression will vary in intensity and form (physical or verbal). Many other physical and health issues can add to the person's frustration and aggression. With frontal lobe damage, sexual inappropriateness may also occur. An individual may not be able to control his/her self and may not be able to filter inappropriate language or behavior. The lack of motivation and activity is a common behavioral side effect of a TBI. Individuals suffering with these problems just don't feel up to participating in activities and are difficult to motivate. This may also be due to the fact that they are not able to complete certain tasks without tremendous assistance from another person.
     All of the psychological impairments will also cause negative behaviors. If someone is unable to walk, pick up items with their fingers, or hold items, due to damage to the cerebellum, it can be extremely frustrating. This frustration tends to be displayed in a negative fashion, especially if the individual has suffered damage to other areas of the brain that aid in the control of feelings or actions. The brain is extremely delicate. If one sustains an injury to a part of the brain that caused mental retardation, it is likely that the damage was to more than one part of the brain.
    The link below describes more of the areas of the brain that may be injured and the effects it would have on the person. Remember, if more than one area is injured, the deficits would be combined and the intensity may be increased.

http://www.bcftbi.org/about-tbi/behavior.asp