Kids & Concussions: Non-Sport Risks
- Young children between 5 and 12 are more prone to concussions from recreational and non-sport activities, according to Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) researchers.
- The research underscores the need for increased awareness and resources for diagnosing pediatric concussion outside of sports.
- Researchers analyzed data from a pediatric concussion registry, evaluating 1,141 patients aged 5 to 12 within four weeks of their injury.
Concussion Risks Higher in Non-Sport Activities for young children
Young children between 5 and 12 are more prone to concussions from recreational and non-sport activities, according to Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) researchers. The study, published in the Journal of Pediatrics, highlights that these injuries often go unaddressed by specialists for days longer than sports-related concussions.
The research underscores the need for increased awareness and resources for diagnosing pediatric concussion outside of sports. Kristy Arbogast, PhD, director of the Center for Injury Research and prevention at CHOP, emphasized the importance of educating those who interact with children in less structured settings about concussion risks and management.
Researchers analyzed data from a pediatric concussion registry, evaluating 1,141 patients aged 5 to 12 within four weeks of their injury. They categorized concussions based on the mechanism of injury: organized sports, recreation (gym class, free play, biking), or other non-sport/recreation-related incidents (motor vehicle crashes, falls).
The findings revealed that recreation-related injuries accounted for 37.3% of concussions, followed by non-sport/recreation-related concussions at 31.9%. These injuries were more frequently initially assessed in emergency departments. A significant delay of two to three days was observed before patients with recreation- or non-sport/recreation-related concussions were seen by concussion specialists, compared to those with sports-related concussions. Moreover, patients with concussions outside of sports and recreation reported more severe symptoms and disruptions to their daily routines.
“Patients injured outside of sports and recreation experienced a higher burden of symptoms and more changes to daily life, and delays in appropriate care could exacerbate these negative effects,” said Kristy arbogast, PhD, director of the Center for Injury Research and Prevention and co-director of the Minds Matter Concussion program at CHOP.
Daniel Corwin, MD, Director of Research Operations in the Division of Emergency Medicine at CHOP, suggests equipping clinical teams with the latest tools for concussion diagnosis and management. He also proposes school-based resources, including school nurse engagement, to address disparities in care for elementary-aged children who sustain injuries outside of sports.
What’s next
Future efforts will focus on developing targeted interventions and educational programs for emergency departments, primary care providers, and schools to improve early recognition and management of concussions in young children, regardless of the injury mechanism. This includes promoting awareness of concussion symptoms and providing resources for timely access to specialized care, ultimately aiming to reduce inequities in concussion care and improve outcomes for affected children.