Corticosteroids in Pediatric Traumatic Brain Injury: A Principle-Based Concept Analysis

Abstract Over 7,400 children in the United States die from severe traumatic brain injury annually. Therefore, evidence-based clinical practice recommendations, such as the use of corticosteroids to reduce cerebral edema, are necessary to guide clinical practice to improve outcomes. However, a clearer analysis of their use in pediatrics is needed to validate its true impact on neurologic outcomes. A principle-based concept analysis revealed that the type of corticosteroid, indication for use, population, and outcome measurement are not consistent within the literature, thereby making clinical practice recommendations problematic. Further research in the pediatric population is necessary before clinical practice recommendations can be made.