This study aims to develop a integrated predictive model based on serum biomarkers, HRV, and an innovative computerized classifier output, to predict the patient long term neurological outcome after a moderate or severe TBI in children.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in children. Most children with moderate and severe TBI have long term sequelae including neurological deficit, cognitive impairment and behavioural disorders. In the acute care setting, neither clinicians nor researchers are able to adequately predict the long term outcome of children with TBI, consequently limiting their ability to tailor medical care, rehabilitation and support services. Improving our understanding of a TBI patient's exact cerebral status and prognosis is a critical step toward optimized and personalized patient management. In this research study, an innovative and integrated model will be developed to improve the prognostication in the early phase of a TBI. This model will combine key clinical variables commonly collected in the acute care setting and combine these with cutting-edge empirical measures: 1) biomarkers; 2) a new physiological monitoring based on heart-rate variability (HRV) to assess the integrity of the autonomic system; and 3) a computerized classification tool developed using the concept of artificial intelligence to continuously categorize the patient's cerebral status.

Inclusion Criteria:

Children 1) <18 years; 2) admitted to the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit at the Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Ste-Justine; 3) moderate (Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS): 9-12) or severe TBI (GCS ≤8), assessed after initial resuscitation; 4) admitted to the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit less than 24 hours after the initial TBI and 5) written parental consent. Patients with either inflicted or accidental TBI will be included as they characterize different but important population, our model should be valuable for both.

Exclusion Criteria:

Children 1) suspected of being brain death at the time of Paediatric Intensive Care Unit entry (GCS 3 and loss of all brain stem reflexes); 2) with a pacemaker (HRV monitoring unreliable); and/or 3) patients or parents who do not speak or read English or French.