Teen’s ‘jelly in a box’ brain after accident helps pioneer brain trauma research | Health

By Faye Mayern

A teenager whose brain was like ‘jelly in a box’ after she was thrown over the handlebars of her quad bike has taken part in a UK-first study.

Mia Jack was 12 years old when she was thrown over the handlebars of a four-wheeler and hit a tree headfirst during a family activity day.

Part of her skull was removed to relieve pressure on her brain but immediately after she needed more surgery to remove a blood clot.

Mia, from Soham, Cambs, could not walk or talk after the accident but made a miraculous recovery and has spoken of her ordeal.

Her medical data was used in the UK’s first study to help improve understanding and outcomes for pediatric traumatic brain injuries.

The study findings support monitoring the pressure reactivity index (PRx) in pediatric traumatic brain injuries which could be used to fine-tune treatment targets.

The aim was to identify critical thresholds of PRx in relation to outcome and create a research database.

Traumatic brain injury is the leading cause of death and disability in children worldwide with more than two-thirds of the survivors suffering from longer-term problems.

Mia, now 18, said: “When I woke after the accident I was completely confused and didn’t know who mum was, what had happened, and I didn’t understand what was going on.

“I was wearing a helmet at the time, but apparently my brain was like jelly in a box that had been really badly shaken and I was going to be in hospital for some time.”

“To say it was all a bit of a struggle would be an understatement, but I am a fighter and hope someone else can take inspiration from that.

“Anything that helps with traumatic brain injury in children – and raises awareness of it at the same time – has got to be a good thing.”

Despite wearing a helmet when she was thrown over the handlebars, Mia was put into an induced coma and airlifted to Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambs.

She had a craniectomy to relieve pressure on her brain and spent weeks in intensive care.

Music-loving Mia – who now lives with sister Isabella, 19, mom Angela Paine and her partner Stuart Jack – woke up when she heard a ukulele being played on the ward.

To Angela’s dismay, Mia didn’t recognize her and could not walk or talk.

But over several difficult weeks, Mia was determined to get better along with the help of specialists.

She later returned to Addenbrooke’s to have a titanium plate fitted over the hole in her skull.

She said David Guetta’s hit ‘Titanium’ became something of a “personal anthem” – and part of her piano playing repertoire.

The teenager returned to school and is in her second year of a hairdressing course.

Her mother Angela, who works in catering, said: “To me, Mia’s recovery has been nothing less than a miracle.

“She is so courageous, so talented, and I am very proud of all she achieves.”

Mia was one of 135 children involved in the national study across ten pediatric intensive care units across the country.

Dr. Shruti Agrawal, pediatric trauma lead at Cambridge University Hospitals and leader of the study, said: “Understanding the underpinning principles and management of raised intracranial pressure and brain perfusion is essential for reducing the morbidity and mortality of traumatic brain injuries.”

Shelly Thake, Chief Executive at Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust, added: “We were delighted to be able to help fund this important study, which was only possible thanks to the generosity of our incredible supporters.”