Athletic concussion is a growing focus of attention for pediatricians. Although numerous literature reviews and clinical guidelines are now available pertaining to athletic concussion, few have focused on the pediatric athlete in particular. Sport-related concussions occur relatively frequently in children and adolescents, and primary health care providers are often responsible for coordinating clinical management. Here we summarize the scientific literature pertinent to the care of young athletes. We examine how concussion affects younger and older athletes differently at biomechanical, pathophysiological, neurobehavioral, and contextual levels. We also discuss important issues in clinical management, including preparticipation assessment, concussion evaluation and recovery tracking, and when and how to return pediatric athletes to play sports. We also briefly cover non–sport-related interventions (eg, school support). With proper management, most children and adolescents sustaining a sport-related concussion can be expected to recover fully.
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April 2006
Review Articles|
April 01 2006
Pediatric Sport-Related Concussion: A Review of the Clinical Management of an Oft-Neglected Population
Michael W. Kirkwood, PhD;
Michael W. Kirkwood, PhD
aDepartment of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Children's Hospital, Denver, Colorado
bUniversity of Colorado Health Sciences Center, Denver, Colorado
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Keith Owen Yeates, PhD;
Keith Owen Yeates, PhD
cDepartment of Pediatrics, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
dCenter for Biobehavioral Health, Columbus Children's Research Institute, Columbus, Ohio
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Pamela E. Wilson, MD
Pamela E. Wilson, MD
aDepartment of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Children's Hospital, Denver, Colorado
bUniversity of Colorado Health Sciences Center, Denver, Colorado
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Address correspondence to Michael W. Kirkwood, PhD, Children's Hospital Concussion Program, B285, 1056 E 19th Ave, Denver, CO 80218. E-mail: kirkwood.michael@tchden.org
Pediatrics (2006) 117 (4): 1359–1371.
Article history
Accepted:
September 06 2005
Citation
Michael W. Kirkwood, Keith Owen Yeates, Pamela E. Wilson; Pediatric Sport-Related Concussion: A Review of the Clinical Management of an Oft-Neglected Population. Pediatrics April 2006; 117 (4): 1359–1371. 10.1542/peds.2005-0994
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