Many Sports-related Concussions in Children Go Untreated Each Year

A new study has found that approximately 2 million children each year may be suffering from sports- and recreation-related concussions (SRRCs) each year. However, many of these cases may go untreated.

These are the findings of a new study conducted by a collaborative team of researchers from Seattle Children's Research Institute, University of Colorado and University of Washington. The team has found that as many as 1.1 to 1.9 children may suffer from an SRRC each year.

The researchers came up with the findings after analyzing three national databases that contained information about injuries reported across different healthcare departments and settings, including inpatient department, outpatient department, emergency admissions and certified high school athletic trainers.

Surprisingly, the team found that between 511,590 and 1,240,972 SRRCs were not treated in children aged below 18 years. The shocking study results have come amidst increased concerns over concussions and the impact that it has on the brain of the sufferer, especially in the case of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE).

Concussions are a form of traumatic brain injury that can be a result of a direct hit to the head. Otherwise, it may also be caused by an impact on any other body part, which is sufficient to shake the brain inside the skull of an individual.

According to Dr. Steven Flanagan of the NYU Langone Medical Center, there is a need to pay more attention to concussion injuries, especially in children and teenagers. For such an age group, it is highly important to identify the injury in the first place and then provide appropriate medical treatment.

Flanagan further said that if a concussion is suspected, the athlete should be immediately driven out of the play until complete evaluation is done and the healthcare provider provides permission to play again.

The complete details of the study have been published in the journal Pediatrics.