Evaluation and Management of Concussion in Young Athletes

Learning about concussion diagnosis and management is important for all individuals who will be taking care of young athletes. There are about 1.7 million reported concussions per year, and, of these, about 20% are sports related. There are risks in all sports, but the highest rates of concussions are from football, rugby, and hockey, with soccer being the highest cause for girls. An on-field assessment includes evaluating airway, breathing, and circulation, followed by cervical spine assessment. Then, concussion evaluation tools can be used to aid in making the diagnosis. While concussion symptoms for the majority of youth resolve within a few weeks, some individuals may have persistence of symptoms for 3 months or more, referred to as postconcussive syndrome. Providers should consider ongoing symptoms in assessing when an athlete may safely return to sports and to learning. A major concern that has become more apparent in recent years is the possibility that concussions may have a longitudinal effect on health, such as in the development of chronic traumatic encephalopathy. Research has shown that there is an increase in the number of patients presenting to their primary care physician with concussions. Knowing how best to prevent, diagnose, and manage concussions will help to minimize risks to young athletes.