BACKGROUND Severe Neurological Impairment (SNI) is a term for which there is no consistently used definition. This may hamper consistency in the reporting of research in the area and communication between professionals involved in the care of those with SNI. OBJECTIVE We aimed to create an international, multidisciplinary, consensus-based definition of SNI. DESIGN The Delphi method was employed to reach consensus on the definition of SNI. METHOD An international, multi-disciplinary expert panel was recruited. The process proceeded over three rounds with feedback provided to panellists between each of them. Consensus was defined as 70% agreement. A working definition was created and, following presentation at an international meeting and consultation with parent representatives, further refined, to create a finalised definition. RESULTS Thirty-four expert panellists commenced the process. Six items reached the threshold of consensus. The finalised definition is as follows: "Severe Neurological Impairment describes a group of disorders of the central nervous system which arise in childhood, resulting in motor impairment, cognitive impairment and medical complexity, where much assistance is required with activities of daily living. The impairment is permanent but can be progressive or static." CONCLUSION A consensus-based definition of SNI which includes multi-disciplinary, international and parental input has been created. This should prove useful for clinical, research and resource-planning purposes.

中文翻译：

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严重神经损伤：基于德尔福共识的定义

背景严重神经损伤(SNI)是一个没有一致使用的定义的术语。这可能会妨碍该领域研究报告的一致性以及参与 SNI 患者护理的专业人员之间的交流。目标我们旨在创建一个国际、多学科、基于共识的 SNI 定义。设计 采用 Delphi 方法就 SNI 的定义达成共识。方法 招募了一个国际多学科专家小组。该过程进行了三轮，并在每轮之间向小组成员提供反馈。共识被定义为 70% 的同意。创建了一个工作定义，并在国际会议上介绍并与家长代表协商后，进一步完善，以创建最终定义。结果 34 位专家小组成员开始了这一过程。六项达到共识门槛。最终的定义如下：“严重神经障碍描述了一组在儿童时期出现的中枢神经系统疾病，导致运动障碍、认知障碍和医疗复杂性，在日常生活活动中需要很多帮助。这种障碍是永久性的，但可以是渐进的或静态的。” 结论 已经创建了基于共识的 SNI 定义，其中包括多学科、国际和父母的意见。这应该证明对临床、研究和资源规划有用。严重神经障碍描述了一组在儿童时期出现的中枢神经系统疾病，导致运动障碍、认知障碍和医疗复杂性，在日常生活活动中需要很多帮助。损害是永久性的，但可以是渐进的或静态的。”结论已经创建了基于共识的 SNI 定义，其中包括多学科、国际和父母的意见。这应该证明对临床、研究和资源规划有用。严重神经障碍描述了一组在儿童时期出现的中枢神经系统疾病，导致运动障碍、认知障碍和医疗复杂性，在日常生活活动中需要很多帮助。损害是永久性的，但可以是渐进的或静态的。”结论已经创建了基于共识的 SNI 定义，其中包括多学科、国际和父母的意见。这应该证明对临床、研究和资源规划有用。结论 已经创建了基于共识的 SNI 定义，其中包括多学科、国际和父母的意见。这应该证明对临床、研究和资源规划有用。结论 已经创建了基于共识的 SNI 定义，其中包括多学科、国际和父母的意见。这应该证明对临床、研究和资源规划有用。