Sports-Related Concussions and the Pediatric Patient

Clin Sports Med. 2021 Jan;40(1):147-158. doi: 10.1016/j.csm.2020.08.010.

Abstract

Pediatric patients with concussions have different needs than adults throughout the recovery process. Adolescents, in particular, may take longer to recover from concussion than adults. Initially, relative rest from academic and physical activities is recommended for 24 to 48 hours to allow symptoms to abate. After this time period, physicians should guide the return to activity and return to school process in a staged fashion using published guidelines. Further concussion research in pediatric patients, particularly those younger than high-school age, is needed to advance the management of this special population.

Keywords: Adolescent concussions; Head injury; Pediatric concussions; Return to learn; Return to sport.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Athletic Injuries / complications
  • Athletic Injuries / diagnosis*
  • Athletic Injuries / therapy*
  • Brain Concussion / complications
  • Brain Concussion / diagnosis*
  • Brain Concussion / therapy*
  • Child
  • Exercise Therapy
  • Humans
  • Learning
  • Post-Concussion Syndrome / diagnosis
  • Post-Concussion Syndrome / therapy
  • Return to Sport
  • Time Factors
  • Youth Sports / injuries*