DRAFT - Types of Brain Injury and Causes

 Learn About Types of Brain Injuries

A concussion is a type of Traumatic Brain Injury (mTBI) caused by a bump, blow or jolt to the head or by a hit to the body that causes the head and brain to move rapidly back and forth.  Loss of consciousness is NOT necessary for a mTBI to be diagnosed. A mTBI is a functional injury and cannot be detected by neuroimaging. The symptoms of a mTBI can range from mild to severe. You cannot predict how severe a mTBI will be or how long the symptoms will last at the time of the injury. More than 70% of mTBIs resolve successfully if managed well within the first 4 weeks post injury. 

MAKE A BRAINSTEPS REFERRAL WHEN THE STUDENTS mTBI HAS NOT RESOLVED IN 4-6 WEEKS. 

Causes of mTBI 

Some causes of mTBI may include: 

• Abusive Head Trauma (formally Shaken Baby Syndrome)
• Assaults(s)
• Auto-Pedestrian
• Bicycle/Mountain Biking
• Child Abuse
• Falls
• Intimate Partner Violence (IPV)
• Recreational Activities ( Skateboarding/Playground/Skiing)
• Motor Vehicle Accident (ATV/Go-Cart/Car/Bus)
• Sports Injury

The list above is not inclusive of all the causes of a mild traumatic brain injury or concussion. 

Visit CDE's Mild Traumatic Brain Injury Resources page for or more information on concussion guidelines.

A moderate or severe Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is caused by a bump, blow or jolt to the head or by a penetrating injury to the head. For those who survive, a moderate to severe TBI may lead to life-long health problems that may affect all aspects of life. Traumatic Brain Injury is now classified as a chronic condition.

MAKE A BRAINSTEPS REFERRAL IMMEDIATELY

Causes of Moderate and Severe TBI

 A mild to moderate brain injury can result from various types of events. Here are some examples:

• Abusive Head Trauma ( formerly known as shaken baby)
• Assault(s)
• Auto-Pedestrian Accident
• Bicycle/Mountain Biking
• Child Abuse
• Falls
• Gunshot wound
• Intimate Partner Violence (IPV)
• Motor Vehicle Accidents (ATV/Go-Cart/Car/Bus/Jet Ski)
• Recreational Activities (Skateboarding/Playground/Skiing
• Sports Injury

The list above is not inclusive of all the causes of a mild traumatic brain injury or concussion. 

Brain damage resulting from any Acquired Brain Injury leads to changes in the normal neuronal tissue activity and/or structure in one or multiple areas of the brain, and can affect normal brain functions. A Non- Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) occurs due to an internal disease process that  leads to damaged brain tissue. Impairment sustained from an a Non-TBI can lead to life-long health challenges that may affect all aspect of life. Non-Tbi is classified as a chronic condition.

Make a BrainSTEPS referral immediately.

Causes of Non-Traumatic Brain Injuries

• Aneurysm
• Brain Infections (Meningitis/Encephalitis/Long COVID)
• Brain Tumor
• Disruption of Oxygen to the Brain (Near Drowning/Incomplete Hanging/Severe Asthma or Allergy Attack)
• Stroke

The list above is not inclusive of all the causes of a mild traumatic brain injury or concussion. 

Congenital Brain Injuries are abnormalities or damage to the brain that develop in the womb or occur during the birth process. These injuries can vary widely in type and severity, ranging from mild to severe. While the list below is not exhaustive, it is an example of how congenital injuries to the brain can be caused by a variety of genetic or environmental factors or as a result of something that occurred during the birth process.

Causes of Congenital Brain Injuries

• In-Utero Stroke
• Injuries as part of the birth process
• Infections during pregnancy
• Trauma
• Genetic disorders
• Oxygen deprivation
• Neural tube defects
• Cerebal Palsy(s)
• Microcephaly
• Hydrocephalus
• Pre-natal substance use
• Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder

Congenital birth defects can occur at any stage of pregnancy. Most occur in the first 3 months of pregnancy when the organs are forming. However, some birth defects do occur later in pregnancy as tissues and organs continue to develop and functional defects become more likely. The visual below depicts the most vulnerable times for the developing embryo, and shows that major anomalies can occur before a person is aware of the pregnancy