Resumen

WEGNER A, ADRIANA  y  CESPEDES F, PAMELA. Traumatic brain injury in pediatrics. Rev. chil. pediatr. [online]. 2011, vol.82, n.3, pp. 175-190. ISSN 0370-4106.  http://dx.doi.org/10.4067/S0370-41062011000300002.

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is an important Public Health issue in Chile and the world. It represents a frequent cause of consultation, constituting a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in the population under 45 years of age. Accidents are the main reason for TBI among the pediatric population, but child abuse is an important cause in children below 2 y.o. A proper evaluation is essential to develop timely and efficient treatment that avoids or decreases brain damage and eventual complications. For this purpose, it is essential that brain physiology and physiopathological changes triggered by TBI are clear and well known. Current concepts are presented in this paper, emphasizing brain hemodynamics, metabolism, and brain self-regulation.

Palabras llave : Traumatic brain injury; children; brain physiology; brain circulation; brain self-regulation; brain metabolism; brain edema.