It is no secret that traumatic brain injuries, or TBIs, are some of the most serious injuries one can experience in a Florida accident, whether it be a slip-and-fall or motor vehicle collision. A new study published in the journal Frontiers in Neurology finds that children in particular may be more susceptible to diseases stemming from a traumatic brain injury. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that each year, TBIs are the reason for over 470,000 emergency department visits for kids 14 and under.
The human brain generally continues to develop well into our 20s, making TBIs especially problematic for younger people. A TBI has the potential to stop critical growth processes and cause patients to suffer developmentally or functionally. According to the study, patients under the age of 18 with TBIS were three times more likely to develop disorders of the endocrine system, such as diabetes. The hypothalamus and pituitary gland are near the base of the skull, which is often the area impacted by the forces that cause TBIs.
The study also showed that female patients were more likely to be diagnosed with endocrine issues than male patients, but researchers believe this could be because men are generally less likely to report symptoms.
The human brain generally continues to develop well into our 20s, making TBIs especially problematic for younger people. People who had a TBI when they were children may be more likely to experience behavioral and academic problems and cardiovascular disorders due to the problems with the endocrine system. The endocrine system is responsible for growth, sexual development, and other systems in the body, and these systems can be negatively impacted due to a disorder caused by a past TBI.
The long-term health effects, rehabilitation, and countless medical treatments, combined with the pain and suffering patients with TBIs have to endure, make TBIs one of the most devastating injuries a person can suffer in an accident. A personal injury attorney can review your case and help determine whether you are entitled to compensation for your accident-related injuries.