Sport-Related Concussion in Children and Adolescents

Abstract

Sport-related concussion is a "hot topic" in the media and in medicine. It is a common injury that is likely underreported by pediatric and adolescent athletes. Football has the highest incidence of concussion, but girls have higher concussion rates than boys do in similar sports. A clear understanding of the definition, signs, and symptoms of concussion is necessary to recognize it and rule out more severe intracranial injury. Concussion can cause symptoms that interfere with school, social and family relationships, and participation in sports. Recognition and education are paramount, because although proper equipment, sport technique, and adherence to rules of the sport may decrease the incidence or severity of concussions, nothing has been shown to prevent them. Appropriate management is essential for reducing the risk of long-term symptoms and complications. Cognitive and physical rest is the mainstay of management after diagnosis, and neuropsychological testing is a helpful tool in the management of concussion. Return to sport should be accomplished by using a progressive exercise program while evaluating for any return of signs or symptoms. This report serves as a basis for understanding the diagnosis and management of concussion in children and adolescent athletes.

Improvement of medical-pedagogical observation as a method for preventing the development of prepathological condition in young athletes

“…A large part of these diseases is closely connected with level of resistance; this allows concluding that implementing Wellness events have nonspecific effects on children and adolescents, increasing the resistance to the body. [5][6][7] In the study of the incidence of investigated contingent identified some features that you should pay attention to when medical control of these contingents:…”

Pediatric Sports-Related Concussion Produces Cerebral Blood Flow Alterations

“…Defining the pathophysiology of pediatric SRC is paramount, given the high incidence of this injury, [1][2][3][4][5][6]40 considerable recent lay press attention, and the potential for short-and long-term impact on health and well-being. 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.…”

“…[1][2][3][4][5][6][7] Despite its high incidence, the pathophysiology of SRC is not well understood. Symptoms and neuropsychological alterations of SRC have been well characterized [8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19] ; however, the biological substrate has been studied limitedly, largely in adults and focusing on structural injury patterns.…”

Addressing Concussion in Youth Sports

“…Improve medical education about concussion. This includes better concussion education for students entering health professions but also improved education for health care professionals after graduation [10,11]. A study found that only 26.6 percent of general pediatricians were somewhat or very familiar with recently passed concussion legislation and that only 14.6 percent of general pediatricians used concussion consensus guidelines in their practice [12].…”