Child sports concussions increase

Playing sports is the best physical exercise for children to keep them healthy but the number of child athletes taken to the emergency room in the USA has more than tripled from 7,000 in 1991 to 22,000 in 2007. A new study published by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) in the September 2010 issue of Pediatrics states that football has the highest incidence of concussion and that girls have higher concussion rates than boys in similar sports.

Concussion symptoms

A concussion is known as a mild brain injury. Experts define a concussion as a head injury with temporary loss of brain function which can cause cognitive, physical, and emotional symptoms. In the majority of concussion cases the individual doesn’t lose consciousness but will require proper treatment. Most physicians recommend plenty of rest to reduce the risk of developing chronic headaches, learning problems and poor memory. Your child may complain of a variety of symptoms and display a very moody demeanor. There can be complaints of headache, vision disturbance, dizziness, a loss of balance, confusion, memory loss, ringing or ears, nausea, sensitivity to light or noise, difficulty concentrating and feeling groggy.

Treatment

If your child was hit on the playing field you should avoid asking your child to “tough it out”. Children or adolescents who sustain a concussion should always be evaluated by a physician and receive a medical clearance before returning to play. Symptoms of a mild concussion can be resolved in 7 to 10 days but the more severe concussion can take weeks or months to fully recover. All athletes should restrict their physical activity after a concussion. Cognitive exertion should also be monitored such as homework, video games, using the computer or watching television as they can escalate symptoms. If symptoms persist and your child is having short-term memory concerns your pediatrician or neurologist may refer you for neuropsychological testing.

There are several ways to reduce the risk of concussions by wearing the protective gear, following the rules of the sport, and educating players, staff and parents on the dangers of concussions. Better understanding of the symptoms will reduce the potential of long-term complications that could evolve from a concussion. If an athlete has had multiple concussions they should consider retiring from that sport.