Which risk is reduced by early seizure prophylaxis in severe TBI?

• A. Brain herniation
• B. Post-traumatic seizures
• C. Infections
• D. Hypotension

Answer: (B)

The main idea is that seizure prophylaxis after severe TBI aims to prevent seizures that can occur soon after injury. Giving anticonvulsants in the acute period reduces the chance of early post-traumatic seizures, typically within the first week. This is important because seizures after brain injury can worsen secondary brain injury by increasing metabolic demand, risking further damage, and complicating management. While these drugs can lower the incidence of early seizures, they don’t reliably prevent seizures that may occur later as part of post-traumatic epilepsy, and they don’t directly affect risks like brain herniation, infection, or low blood pressure. So the risk most directly reduced by early prophylaxis is post-traumatic (early) seizures.