Subacute concussion-related symptoms in youth

• Published in: Physical medicine and rehabilitation clinics of North America Vol. 22; no. 4; p. 665
• Main Authors: Blume, Heidi K, Lucas, Sylvia, Bell, Kathleen R
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.11.2011
• Subjects: Adolescent; Athletic Injuries - complications; Child; Cognition Disorders - diagnosis; Cognition Disorders - etiology; Cognition Disorders - therapy; Headache - diagnosis; Headache - etiology; Headache - therapy; Humans; Mood Disorders - diagnosis; Mood Disorders - etiology; Mood Disorders - therapy; Post-Concussion Syndrome - diagnosis; Post-Concussion Syndrome - epidemiology; Post-Concussion Syndrome - etiology; Post-Concussion Syndrome - therapy; Postural Balance; Sex Factors; Sleep Wake Disorders - diagnosis; Sleep Wake Disorders - etiology; Sleep Wake Disorders - therapy
• ISSN: 1558-1381
• DOI: 10.1016/j.pmr.2011.08.007

Most athletes who experience a sports-related concussion recover from the acute effects within a few weeks. However, some children and adolescents with concussion experience symptoms for many weeks, or even months after the injury. Subacute and chronic symptoms related to concussion are particularly concerning in children, because cognitive deficits, headache or neck pain, sleep dysfunction, and emotional dysregulation can affect school performance and social function at a critical period of development and maturation. This article reviews the epidemiology of subacute symptoms after pediatric concussion and the current recommendations for the assessment and management of these symptoms in children and adolescents.