Citation

Giza CC. Continuum Lifelong Learn. Neurol. 2014; 20(6 Sports Neurology): 1570-1587.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2014, American Academy of Neurology)

DOI

10.1212/01.CON.0000458973.71142.7d

PMID

25470161

Abstract

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Sports-related concussions are receiving increasing attention in both the lay press and medical literature. While most media attention has been on high-profile collegiate or professional athletes, the vast majority of individuals participating in contact and collision sports are adolescents and children. This review provides a practical approach toward youth sports-related concussion with a foundation in the recent guidelines, but including specific considerations when applying these management principles to children and adolescents. RECENT FINDINGS: Objective measurement of early signs and symptoms is challenging in younger patients, and many commonly used assessment tools await rigorous validation for younger patients. Excellent evidence-based guidelines exist for CT evaluation of mild traumatic brain injury presenting to the emergency department. Evidence suggests that recovery from sports-related concussion takes longer in high school athletes compared with collegiate or professionals; however, rigorous studies below high school age are still lacking. SUMMARY: Proper care for concussion in youth requires a delicate balance of clinical skills, age-appropriate assessment, and individualized management to achieve optimal outcomes.

Language: en