Pediatric traumatic brain injury is a traumatically induced structural injury or alteration in brain function as a result of an external force and is usually indicated by the new onset of clinical signs immediately following the event, such as loss of consciousness, loss of memory surrounding the event, alteration in mental state at the time of the injury, and neurological deficits. Between 11% and 50% of children with traumatic brain injury will experience psychiatric symptoms ranging from depressive symptoms to secondary ADHD as well as possible continued cognitive deficits.
Pediatric brain injury medical expert witness specialties include pediatric neurology, neuropsychology, and child psychiatry.