Objective: To determine long-term outcomes and life satisfaction of adults who sustained pediatric spinal cord injury (SCI).
Design: Structured interview of adults who were 25 years or older who had pediatric SCI.
Setting: Community.
Participants: A convenience sample of 46 patients from a total of 81 patients who received care in an SCI program: 1 refused participation, 4 died, and 30 were lost to follow-up.
Main outcome measures: A structured questionnaire including physical, psychosocial, and medical information. The Craig Handicap Assessment and Reporting Technique and two measures of life satisfaction were also administered.
Results: Participants were 25 to 34 years old, mean 27 years. Thirty-two had tetraplegia and 14 had paraplegia. Thirty-one were men. Mean years of education was 14. Fifty-four percent were employed, 48% lived independently, and 15% were married. Life satisfaction was associated with education, income, satisfaction with employment, and social/recreation opportunities, and was inversely associated with some medical complications. Life satisfaction was not significantly associated with level of injury, age at injury, or duration of injury.
Conclusions: Individuals who had pediatric SCI, much like adult-onset SCI, have the greatest opportunity for a satisfying adult life if rehabilitation emphasizes psychosocial factors such as education, employment, and long-term health management.