Initial use of the Coma Recovery Scale for Pediatrics (CRS-P) in young children with disorders of consciousness

The sample included children aged 8 months to 6 years and 10 months (<i>N</i> = 18) admitted for inpatient rehabilitation following a new brain injury. CRS-P total score was significantly higher at discharge compared to admission (<i>p</i> < .001). CRS-P auditory, visual, and motor subscales were sensitive to change (i.e. significant improvement in responsiveness) between admission and discharge (<i>p's</i> < 0.02). Just over one-third of patients (<i>n</i> = 7) emerged from a minimally conscious state (MCS), and functional object use was the first sign of emergence for all. Age at assessment was not significantly correlated with CRS-P scores. Conclusions: Results highlight the utility of the CRS-P for classifying states of DoC, as well as emergence, in young children with severe brain injury.