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Closed-head injuries are the leading cause of death in children under 4 years old and the most common cause of physical disability and cognitive impairment in young people. [ 1 ] [ 2 ] Overall, closed-head injuries and other forms of mild traumatic brain injury account for about 75% of the estimated 1.7 million brain injuries that occur ...
The ultimate consequence of cytotoxic edema is the oncotic death of neurons. [1] The swelling of the individual cells of the brain is the main distinguishing characteristic of cytotoxic edema, as opposed to vasogenic edema, wherein the influx of fluid is typically seen in the interstitial space rather than within the cells themselves. [20]
Neurological collapse can occur within a short period, [12] with rapid onset of dilating pupils, loss of eye movement, unconsciousness, and respiratory failure. [11] Failure of the brain stem frequently occurs between two and five minutes after the second impact, [1] [2] [11] and death can follow shortly. [8]
In children aged two to four, falls are the most common cause of TBI, while in older children traffic accidents compete with falls for this position. [57] TBI is the third most common injury to result from child abuse. [58] Abuse causes 19% of cases of pediatric brain trauma, and the death rate is higher among these cases. [59]
"The brain is enclosed by the skull, and when the brain swells up, it can cause increased intracranial pressure. That, in turn, compromises the respiratory center and can cause death."
These factors cause the brain to swell with fluid, resulting in severe impairment. [15] If the swelling is untreated, it causes death by brain herniation. [4] The brain swelling is likely a result of vasogenic edema, the penetration of the blood–brain barrier by fluids. [16] This process has been observed in MRI studies.
Lee's death was officially ruled the result of cerebral edema — swelling of the brain. While a normal human brain is about 3 pounds, Lee's was reportedly closer to 3½ pounds.
Another factor in secondary injury is loss of cerebral autoregulation, the ability of the brain's blood vessels to regulate cerebral blood flow. [5] Other factors in secondary damage are breakdown of the blood–brain barrier, edema, ischemia and hypoxia. [15] Ischemia is one of the leading causes of secondary brain damage after head trauma. [9]