The present study aims at providing reference values from the general pediatric population for the German version of the 21-item self-report post version of the Postconcussion Symptom Inventory for adolescents aged 13–17 years (PCSI-SR13) following pediatric traumatic brain injury (pTBI). A total of N = 950 adolescents completed an adapted version of the PCSI-SR13. Prior to establishing reference values using percentiles, psychometric properties (i.e., reliability and factorial validity) and regression analyses were examined to identify factors contributing to PCSI-SR13 scores. In addition, construct assessment in the general population sample was compared to that in the pTBI sample (N = 234) using measurement invariance analyses and direct comparisons at the score levels. The results indicate good reliability (Cronbach’s α and McDonald’s ω of 0.97 each). The four-factor structure covering physical, emotional, cognitive, and fatigue symptom groups could be replicated with χ ²(183) = 995.96, p < 0.001, χ ²/df = 5.44, CFI = 0.99, TLI = 0.98, RMSEA (90% CI) = 0.068 (0.064, 0.073), SRMR = 0.03. With minor restrictions, the assessment of symptoms was comparable between the general population and the pTBI samples. Participants in the pTBI sample reported a significantly higher symptom burden than those in the general population sample. Reference values were provided using the total sample without further stratification. Conclusion: For the German post version of the PCSI-SR13, reference values are now available for direct score comparisons and for drawing conclusions about the clinical relevance of the reported symptoms, while considering the prevalence in a comparable general population without a history of pTBI. Trial registration: The study is retrospectively registered in the German Clinical Trials Register and in the International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (ID DRKS00032854). What is Known: • Pediatric traumatic brain injury (pTBI) is a major cause of death and disability, with a wide range of incidence rates and symptoms that interfere with daily functioning and recovery.• The Postconcussion Symptom Inventory (PCSI), including recently translated and validated German versions, is a recommended tool for measuring self-reported symptoms in affected children and adolescents. What is New: • This study provides German-specific reference values for the PCSI-SR13, allowing health care professionals to better differentiate between symptoms that may occur in the general adolescent population with and without chronic health conditions and those caused by pTBI.• It highlights that adolescents with chronic health conditions but without a history of pTBI often report higher levels of emotional symptoms and fatigue, emphasizing the importance of a nuanced clinical assessment, including medical history.

Purpose: The impact of pediatric traumatic brain injury (pTBI) on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in children and adolescents remains understudied. Short scales have some advantages in terms of economy and administration over longer scales, especially in younger children. The aim of the present study is to psychometrically evaluate the six-item German version of the QOLIBRI-OS-KID/ADO scale for children and adolescents. In addition, reference values from a general German pediatric population are obtained to assist clinicians and researchers in the interpretation of HRQoL after pTBI. Methods: A total of 297 individuals after TBI and 1997 from a general population sample completed the questionnaire. Reliability, validity, and comparability of the assessed construct were examined. Results: The questionnaire showed satisfactory reliability (α = 0.75 and ω = 0.81 and α = 0.85 and ω = 0.86 for the TBI and general population samples, respectively). The QOLIBRI-OS-KID/ADO was highly correlated with its long version (R² = 67%) and showed an overlap with generic HRQoL (R² = 55%) in the TBI sample. The one-dimensional factorial structure could be replicated and tested for measurement invariance between samples, indicating a comparable HRQoL construct assessment. Therefore, reference values and cut-offs indicating clinically relevant impairment could be provided using percentiles stratified by factors significantly associated with the total score in the regression analyses (i.e., age group and gender). Conclusion: In combination with the cut-offs, the QOLIBRI-OS-KID/ADO provides a cost-effective screening tool, complemented by interpretation guidelines, which may help to draw clinical conclusions and indications such as further administration of a longer version of the instrument to gain more detailed insight into impaired HRQoL domains or omission of further steps in the absence of an indication.

Headache is one of the most common post-concussion symptoms following pediatric traumatic brain injury (TBI). To better understand its impact on young individuals, this study aims to investigate the prevalence of headache in a German-speaking post-acute pediatric TBI sample and compare it with the general population. In addition, factors associated with the development of pediatric post-TBI headache are investigated to improve the understanding of this condition. A post-acute sample (3 months up to 10 years post-injury) comprising N = 463 children and adolescents aged 8 to 17 years from the TBI sample and N = 463 individuals from the general population matched for gender, age, and health status were included in the study. The Postconcussion Symptom Inventory (PCSI) item assessing headache was used as the outcome variable. Logistic regression was used to examine the association between the risk of developing headache and sociodemographic and health-related factors. Slightly less than half of the participants reported the presence of headache (TBI sample: 46%; matched controls: 44%). Compared with matched controls, the odds of headache in the TBI sample were not significantly different (OR = 1.09, 95% CI 0.85 to 1.4, p = 0.49). The association between PCSI symptoms was generally stronger in adolescents than in children and in the matched controls than in the TBI sample. In the TBI sample, the probability of reporting headache increased with age. The results of this study suggest that the prevalence of headache in the post-acute phase of pediatric TBI is not significantly different from that in the matched non-TBI population, indicating good recovery from injury. However, due to its high prevalence, follow-up screening for this common TBI symptom, especially in adolescents, may be helpful to prevent further chronification. The study is retrospectively registered in German Clinical Trials Register and in International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (ID DRKS00032854).

Assessment of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) after pediatric traumatic brain injury (TBI) has been limited in children and adolescents due to a lack of disease-specific instruments. To fill this gap, the Quality of Life after Traumatic Brain Injury for Children and Adolescents (QOLIBRI-KID/ADO) was developed for the German-speaking population. Reference values from a comparable general population are essential for comprehending the impact of TBI on health and well-being. This study examines the validity of the German QOLIBRI-KID/ADO in a general pediatric population in Germany and provides reference values for use in clinical practice. Overall, 1997 children and adolescents aged 8-17 years from the general population and 300 from the TBI population participated in the study. The questionnaire was tested for reliability and validity. A measurement invariance (MI) approach was used to assess the comparability of the HRQoL construct between both samples. Reference values were determined by percentile-based stratification according to factors that significantly influenced HRQoL in regression analyses. The QOLIBRI-KID/ADO demonstrated strong psychometric properties. The HRQoL construct was measured largely equivalently in both samples, and reference values could be provided. The QOLIBRI-KID/ADO was considered reliable and valid for assessing HRQoL in a general German-speaking pediatric population, allowing for clinically meaningful comparisons between general and TBI populations.

Assessment of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) after pediatric traumatic brain injury (TBI) has been limited in children and adolescents due to a lack of disease-specific instruments. To fill this gap, the Quality of Life after Traumatic Brain Injury for Children and Adolescents (QOLIBRI-KID/ADO) Questionnaire was developed for the German-speaking population. Reference values from a comparable general population are essential for comprehending the impact of TBI on health and well-being. This study examines the validity of the German QOLIBRI-KID/ADO in a general pediatric population in Germany and provides reference values for use in clinical practice. Overall, 1997 children and adolescents aged 8–17 years from the general population and 300 from the TBI population participated in this study. The questionnaire was tested for reliability and validity. A measurement invariance (MI) approach was used to assess the comparability of the HRQoL construct between both samples. Reference values were determined by percentile-based stratification according to factors that significantly influenced HRQoL in regression analyses. The QOLIBRI-KID/ADO demonstrated strong psychometric properties. The HRQoL construct was measured largely equivalently in both samples, and reference values could be provided. The QOLIBRI-KID/ADO was considered reliable and valid for assessing HRQoL in a general German-speaking pediatric population, allowing for clinically meaningful comparisons between general and TBI populations.

Pediatric traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a major cause of disability and long-term sequelae in children and adolescents worldwide. To facilitate understan