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June 12-13, 2019 | Edinburgh, Scotland
Pediatrics and Clinical Pediatrics
2
nd
World Congress on
Current Pediatric Research | Volume: 23
Sports-related concussions in children and adolescents
Paul Fogle
University of the Pacific Stockton, USA
M
ild traumatic brain injury (concussion) is a relatively
new area of concern for many pediatric specialist
and neurologists, as well as speech-language pathologists,
and physical and occupational therapists. However,
concussions have occurred in children and adolescents for
as long as they have played sports, fallen out of trees, or
had other mild head injuries. Reports of youth concussions
spiked by 71% between 2010 to 2015, according to a study
of nearly 937,000 health insurance claims gathered by Blue
Cross and Blue Shield. Davenport (2017) reported brain
changes in high school American football players after one
season of play. The incidence and prevalence studies may
significantly underestimate the actual numbers of boys
and girls with sports-related concussions because many
individuals suffering from mild or even moderate TBI to
not seek medical services.
This presentation will discuss several aspects of sports-
related concussion, including the neuroanatomical effects
(e.g., tearing, shearing, and twisting of axons and dendrites
and destruction of neurons); physical symptoms (e.g.,
being dazed and dizzy, headaches, nausea, drowsiness,
and sleep problems); cognitive effects (e.g., attention,
memory, orientation, reasoning, judgment, problem
solving, and executive functions); and the behavioral,
emotional and social effects (e.g., agitation, aggression,
anger, low tolerance for frustration, emotional lability,
egocentrism, disinhibition, impulsivity, and decreased
social skills). In addition, the risk factors, such as history of
concussions and gender of the athlete will be considered.
The signs and symptoms of concussion observed by adults
and those reported by children and adolescents will be
presented. Hospital emergency department treatment
practices for concussions will be reviewed. Intervention
and management will be an emphasis in this presentation.
e:
paulfoglephd@gmail.comCurrent Pediatric Research, Volume 23
ISSN: 0971-9032