CONCUSSIONS

Children participate in many activities in which injuries are possible. But many childhood injuries, particularly brain injuries, can be prevented if simple rules and guidelines are followed. In 2010, Children's Hospital treated three times more athletes with concussion injuries, a brain injury caused by a bump or blow to the head, than the previous year. Although fatalities from concussions are rare, the leading cause of death from a sports-related injury is damage to the player's head or brain.

Drew Ferguson, MEd, ATC, Director of UAB Sports Medicine at Children's Hospital,said, "If children would simply be aware of their environment and skip out on the risky actions and behaviors a large number of head injuries could be prevented.. It starts with the parents making sure that children wear a well-fitted helmet when riding bikes and enforcing simple rules consistently to keep kids accident free."

Children's Hospital uses the guidelines provided by The Center for Disease Controland Prevention to help parents determine if their child has a concussion, and how to treat a child who has been affected by one.

WHAT ARE THE SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF A CONCUSSION?

Signs Observed by Parents or Guardians

If your child has experienced a bump or blow to the head during a game or practice,look for any of the following signs and symptoms of a concussion:

§ Appears dazed or stunned

§ Is confused about assignment or position

§ Forgets an instruction

§ Is unsure of game, score, or opponent

§ Moves clumsily

§ Answers questions slowly

§ Loses consciousness (even briefly)

§ Shows behavior or personality changes

§ Can't recall events prior to hit or fall

§ Can't recall events after hit or fall


Symptoms Reported by Athlete

§ Headache or "pressure" in head

§ Nausea or vomiting

§ Balance problems or dizziness

§ Double or blurry vision

§ Sensitivity to light

§ Sensitivity to noise

§ Feeling sluggish, hazy, foggy, or groggy

§ Concentration or memory problems

§ Confusion

§ Does not "feel right"


HOW CAN YOU HELP YOUR CHILD PREVENT A CONCUSSION?

Every sport is different, but there are steps your children can take to protect themselves from concussion:

* Ensure that they follow their coach's rules for safety and the rules of the sport.
* Encourage them to practice good sportsmanship at all times.
* Make sure they wear the right protective equipment for their activity (such as helmets, padding, shin guards, and eye and mouth guards). Protective equipment should fit properly, be well maintained, and be worn consistently and correctly.
* Learn the signs and symptoms of a concussion.



WHAT SHOULD YOU DO IF YOU THINK YOUR CHILD HAS A CONCUSSION?

1. Seek medical attention right away. A health care professional will be able to decide how serious the concussion is and when it is safe for your child to return to sports.

2. Keep your child out of play. Concussions take time to heal. Don't let your child return to play until a health care professional says it's okay.Children who return to play too soon - while the brain is still healing - risk a greater chance of having a second concussion. Second or later concussions can be serious. They can cause permanent brain damage, affecting your child for a lifetime.

3. Tell your child's coach about any recent concussion. Coaches should know if your child had a recent concussion in ANY sport. Your child's coach may not know about a concussion your child received in another sport or activity unless you tell the coach.



For more information on this and other children's health and safety issues, please visit our website at www.chsys.org .