Warning over child brain injuries

Concern has been raised about long-term brain problems

A large number of children who have suffered brain injuries experience problems later in life which are being missed, a charity has warned.

One in 25 children admitted to Accident and Emergency are suffering from a head injury.

The Child Brain Injury Trust (Cbit) said there was a common assumption that children's brains would recover.

It has called for greater awareness of the long-lasting effects on children of brain injuries.

The charity conducted research in Scotland to reveal what really happens after a child has a brain injury.

It said that while investment in the NHS has meant surgeons can save the lives of more and more seriously brain injured children, the same investment has not gone into aftercare.

Our research has revealed that a vast number of children in Scotland have 'invisible' needs which are not being properly identified Cbit spokesman

The charity is worried about a common misconception, even in the medical community, that children's brains will recover.

However, the majority will suffer long-term problems and sometimes difficulties will not emerge until years after the wounds have healed.

These can include difficulties with memory, concentration and social situations, but no two children are the same.

Antonia, from Craigievar in Aberdeenshire, sustained a brain injury at the age of 11.

The 17-year-old said she faced bullying and misunderstanding at school.

Antonia said she knows her life should be different

"If I hadn't had encephalitis I would have been doing something completely different," she said.

"I would probably be nearly in university by now."

A Cbit spokesman said: "We have consulted families and professionals and our research has revealed that a vast number of children in Scotland have 'invisible' needs which are not being properly identified or addressed."

While there are support groups for adults, there is only one specialist nurse for children in the whole of Scotland.

Neuropaediatric nurse Shona Forsyth is based at the Southern General Hospital in Glasgow.

She said: "We have children from all over the west of Scotland that the unit provides a service to.

"That will be from Stornoway in the north, to Stranraer, to Dumfries, to the West Lothian and Lanarkshire border.

"As far as I'm aware there are no other nurses doing this job."