Concussion in Children
Concussion in Children
This is a valuable epidemiologic study. Like any good observational study, it raises many hypotheses that can perhaps be answered by future research.
Many unanswered questions remain, such as the potential role of cognitive or physical rest in the duration of symptoms after a concussion, and the counterintuitive observation that children who lost consciousness had quicker resolution of symptoms. The investigators suggest that this might be explained by referral bias, in that children who lose consciousness are more likely to be evaluated urgently, whereas children who don't lose consciousness might present to emergency departments only if symptoms are severe. The observation that younger children recover more quickly is consistent with previous research.
It is difficult to directly apply these observations to clinical care, except to say that children with previous or recent concussions appear to be at higher risk for prolonged symptoms. A history of concussion is an important consideration in the recommendations that we make to patients and families.
Abstract
Viewpoint
This is a valuable epidemiologic study. Like any good observational study, it raises many hypotheses that can perhaps be answered by future research.
Many unanswered questions remain, such as the potential role of cognitive or physical rest in the duration of symptoms after a concussion, and the counterintuitive observation that children who lost consciousness had quicker resolution of symptoms. The investigators suggest that this might be explained by referral bias, in that children who lose consciousness are more likely to be evaluated urgently, whereas children who don't lose consciousness might present to emergency departments only if symptoms are severe. The observation that younger children recover more quickly is consistent with previous research.
It is difficult to directly apply these observations to clinical care, except to say that children with previous or recent concussions appear to be at higher risk for prolonged symptoms. A history of concussion is an important consideration in the recommendations that we make to patients and families.
Abstract
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