Concussion in Children: Signs and Symptoms To Be Wary Of, Sports and Recreation-Related Incidents May Go Untreated

A new study reveals that between 1 to 2 million children may have sports and recreation-related concussions or SRRCs each year. The findings came after analyzing three national databases with injury information reported to different healthcare settings; published in the medical journal Pediatrics.

A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury caused by a blow to the head or any impact to the body that is strong enough to shake the brain; there may be no visible signs of the injury. Parents should be aware of the signs and symptoms of concussion on their kids.

ABC News reported Dr. Steven Flanagan, chair of Rehabilitation Medicine at NYU Langone Medical Center and an expert in traumatic brain injuries including concussion provides

• Remember that a concussion is not always followed by a loss of consciousness.
• Signs may occur at the time of injury include feeling dazed, confused with blurred vision, or temporary amnesia.
• Other symptoms may appear later on may include sleepiness, difficulty paying attention, and becoming more irritable. Concussion will improve within days to a couple weeks for most people.
• If symptoms include trouble staying awake, nausea, vomiting, worsening headache, or if symptoms don't clear up after a few days - your child needs immediate medical evaluation.

AYSC has partnered with the Holland Bloorview Concussion Centre to provide interactive concussion education. pic.twitter.com/UkB8t3Mrpx

— Aurora Youth Soccer (@aysc64) June 8, 2016

The statistics are based on a 2013 data from hospitalizations, doctor's offices, emergency-room visits, high schools and from previous concussion studies, and also from reports high school athletic trainers received. Researchers estimated an alarming number of half a million or more children younger than 18 years old suffer from SRRCs untreated each year.

But they indicate though that the numbers are indefinite and highlight the need to apply the recommendation of the Institute of Medicine, a nonprofit group advising the government on public health issues, for a concussion surveillance system, reports STAT. The study comes as concerns over concussion cases remained untreated and its long-term effects on the brain, especially as related to CTE or chronic traumatic encephalopathy.