Moderate to Severe TBI
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Levels of Severity for Moderate to Severe TBI
Moderate Traumatic Brain Injury
Loss of consciousness and/or post-traumatic amnesia of greater than 30 minutes but less than 24 hours and/or skull fracture noted.
Glasgow Coma Scale score of as low as 8 or as high as 12. (Some use an 8-12 or 8-11 range, while others use 9-11 or 9-12.) Some definitions take into consideration the number of hours after admission (versus onset) the Glasgow Coma Scale was taken.
Severe Traumatic Brain Injury
Loss of consciousness or post-traumatic amnesia lasting 24+ hours. Glasgow Coma Scale score lower than 8 or 9. Characterized by more extensive physical impairments as a result of brain stem damage; a slower, more extended course of recovery; and a clear indication of significant, permanent damage.
Very Severe/Catastrophic Traumatic Brain Injury
True comas of many weeks or months. This term is reserved for the most severely damaged head-injured children who may never regain meaningful communication with the environment. Technically classified as being in a "persistent vegetative state" or "coma vigil."