Outcomes of adults with pediatric onset spinal cord injury

Abstract

A major aim of caring for children with spinal cord injuries (SCIs) is to create a productive and satisfying life during childhood, adolescence, and adulthood. It is therefore critical to delineate long-term outcomes of adults who sustained their SCI during childhood. Additionally, it is important to assess the stability of long-term outcomes and to determine factors that significantly impact key adult outcomes, such as financial independence, community integration, employment, independent living, medical complications, and life satisfaction. This knowledge should help guide the rehabilitative efforts of pediatric SCI programs to maximize long-term adult outcomes. © 2005 Thomas Land Publishers, Inc.