Two new studies that have been recently published in the journal Pediatrics have both found that children who suffer severe traumatic brain injuries may have issues for years with intellectual, behavioral and social development. One of the studies looked at children who suffered a traumatic brain injury before age 3 and the other looked at children who suffered a traumatic brain injury between the ages of 2 and 7.

According to CNN, the study authors found that some of the children did fine and recovered well following a brain injury. The authors found that other children had problems keeping up with their peers in development for years afterward.

Some kids recovered fully and did well, but to suffer a traumatic brain injury at a crucial time in development could possibly have an impact on a person for the rest of their life, limiting their potential and work ability. People who suffer traumatic brain injuries or who have issues with cognitive or social development may need to seek Social Security disability benefits.

The authors found the most telling indicator of how a child would do following a severe traumatic brain injury was the socioeconomic status of the parents. If parents were highly stressed and not actively involved in the child's development, that had an impact on the child's recovery.

Source: CNN, "Severe traumatic brain injury affects development in young children," Caitlin Hagan, Jan. 23, 2012