Concussions in Pediatrics: What Parents Need to Know
Concussions in Pediatrics: What Parents Need to Know
by Steven DeGennaro, MPT
Boulder Community Health Outpatient Pediatric Rehab
Along with the fall season comes the return to school sports such as football, soccer, hockey, cheerleading, and others. This may cause some concerns among parents as a result of all of the discussion in the media regarding concussions. There are a few key things that parents can look out for to know the warning signs of a concussion and to act quickly when they feel that something is not right.
A concussion is a mild traumatic brain injury that causes a temporary loss of normal brain function. While a concussion is often caused by a direct blow to the head, it can also be caused by a whiplash injury sustained during a fall, car accident, playing with friends, climbing a tree, or other forceful incidents that cause what is known as a coup-contrecoup force on the brain. Children can be roughhousing with friends or fall off a bike without hitting their head and still get a concussion from forceful back-and-forth movement of the head.
Some of the more common symptoms that parents can look for immediately after a concussion include dizziness, confusion, loss of consciousness, balance issues, memory loss, nausea, and vomiting. Over the longer term, children may report headaches, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, blurred vision, sensitivity to light, or just a general feeling of fogginess. Parents may also notice personality changes in their children such as irritability or frustration.
A concussion will not be visible on medical tests, such as an MRI or CT scan, although these tests may be performed to rule out a more serious injury. Diagnosis is made based on history and evaluation of symptoms. Treatment for a concussion involves physical and mental rest and a gradual return to activity. Mental rest may involve limiting schoolwork, screen time, and computer use if these activities are exacerbating symptoms. If some symptoms persist—headaches, neck pain, balance issues, etc.—it is recommended to consult a health care professional such as a physical therapist or chiropractor. The majority of concussion symptoms often resolve on their own after 2 to 3 weeks, but if any symptom persists after this amount of time, parents should seek medical help.
With more serious and longer-term concussion symptoms, children may experience difficulty concentrating and other cognitive challenges while at school. In these cases, it is important to work with your pediatrician or other health care professional to determine an ideal schedule for returning to activity. Children may need to do a partial school day and gradually build up to a full return to activity. The key to recovering from a concussion, both physically and mentally, involves balancing the appropriate amount of rest with a gradual return to activity while monitoring your child’s symptoms to make sure they are not getting worse.
The good news is that there is an increased awareness regarding concussions, and parents can do a lot to help prevent concussions and minimize their effects. Always use proper safety equipment such as helmets when riding a vehicle or participating in sports. It is also important to educate children to always tell a parent or coach if they sustain an injury to the head and don’t feel right afterwards. The general consensus among pediatric specialists and sports medicine doctors is that the benefits of youth sports and activities greatly outweigh the risks. However, always consult your pediatrician if you have concerns about your child participating in any specific sports or activities. With early recognition and proper treatment, children can make a full recovery from a concussion and eventually return to the activities they enjoy most.