It's long been believed within the medical community that traumatic brain injuries in children are not necessarily as serious as they can be in adults. But new studies are indicating that's not necessarily true, and that such injuries in children can having lasting effects.

The two studies indicate that children who suffer traumatic brain injuries might have impaired cognitive development as they age, as well as impaired long-term intellectual ability.

The authors of one study noted that mild and less traumatic injuries had no negative effect on the child's functions. But more severe injuries were associated with lowered intellectual function, according to CNN. The socioeconomic status of the child's family was also a big factor in the children's intellectual development, although researchers couldn't fully explain why.

Another study yielded similar results: young children with minor brain injuries didn't see many lasting effects, while more serious injuries resulted in a lag in behavioral, intellectual and social development.

That's not to say that all children who suffered serious injuries didn't go on to do well. Researchers say that many did, although the lag compared to children who didn't suffer injuries was noticeable.

The results of the study are important. If parents are more aware of the potential danger of such injuries, perhaps more could be prevented. Young children, particularly toddlers who are not sure in their own balance, are at a high risk of falling. Head injuries are more common when children are near stairs or sharp-edged furniture.

Source: CNN, "Severe traumatic brain injury affects development in young children," Caitlin Hagan, Jan. 23, 2012