Child Sports Related Concussions Have Doubled
A recent article in the journal Pediatrics reported on new data from the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System which found that from 1997 through 2007 emergency room visits for children between the ages of 8 and 13 with a diagnosis of concussion more than doubled while youths aged between 14 and 19 tripled during this 10 year period. The study also found that approximately 50% of all emergency room visits where the treatment and diagnosis was for concussions were sports related.
This study emphasizes the terrible toll sustained by our children in sports related activities. On the positive side, coaches, trainers, and parents are recognizing the need to have their children examined by emergency room physicians rather than ignoring this public health threat.