Epidemiology of Postconcussion Syndrome in Pediatric Mild Traumatic Brain Injury

Abstract

Among school-aged children with mTBI, 13.7% were symptomatic 3 months after injury. This finding could not be explained by trauma, family dysfunction, or maternal psychological adjustment. The results of this study provide clear support for the validity of the diagnosis of PCS in children.

Mind the gaps—advancing research into short-term and long-term neuropsychological outcomes of youth sports-related concussions

“…34 Among children treated in an emergency room after mTBI, those aged >6 years reported higher rates of persistent symptoms 3 months post injury than did those aged <6 years. 35 Of course, the ability to acquire accurate information about concussion symptoms in children <6 years of age may be limited by a lack of selfawareness of symptoms and the necessary verbal skills to effectively communicate those symptoms. Also, direct comparison of injury severity is not possible from these reports; in fact, the physical heterogeneity of various injuries, taken together with the individual's innate capacity to recover from concussion, makes such comparisons highly challenging.…”

Pediatric Sports-Related Concussion Produces Cerebral Blood Flow Alterations

“…13,16,[41][42][43][44][45][46][47] To study similarities and differences between pediatric and adult SRC, we evaluated a small cohort of children with SRC and healthy controls, using ImPACT neurocognitive testing and MRI measures of brain structure, metabolism, organization, and blood flow. Based on the findings of previous investigations, we hypothesized that (1) structural changes would be minimal by conventional MRI with DTI and SWI;…”

The use of ibuprofen and acetaminophen for acute headache in the postconcussive youth: A pilot study

“…Les patients qui prenaient à la fois de l'ibuprofène et de l'acétaminophène (79,0 %) ou de l'ibuprofène seul (61,0 %) étaient plus susceptibles d'avoir repris l'école une semaine après leur commotion que ceux qui prenaient de l'acétaminophène (33,3 %) et le groupe témoin (21,1 %). Postinjury concussions and headaches are increasingly recognized as significant problems for children and youth who sustain mild traumatic brain injuries (mTBIs) (1)(2)(3)(4)(5)(6)(7). Headache is the most commonly reported symptom of concussion (2-4) and a symptom of postconcussive syndrome (PCS) (5).…”

“…Postinjury concussions and headaches are increasingly recognized as significant problems for children and youth who sustain mild traumatic brain injuries (mTBIs) (1)(2)(3)(4)(5)(6)(7). Headache is the most commonly reported symptom of concussion (2-4) and a symptom of postconcussive syndrome (PCS) (5). Researchers have reported that post-traumatic headache is more common after mTBI than after a severe traumatic brain injury.…”

“…While postconcussion headache generally resolves within 7 to 10 days (72% to 93% (5-7)), a significant proportion of children and youth experience prolonged headache as a symptom of PCS. A study of children and youth with mTBI aged 1 month to 18 years revealed that 58% had headache 1 month postinjury and 9 of 670 (1.3%) had persistent headache 12 months after injury (5). Despite the fact that most children and youth recover clinically and return to normal activities within 1 month postinjury, prolonged time away from school and restrictions on social and recreational activities results in adverse consequences such as life stress, depression and falling behind in school (8).…”