Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI) result from some manner of force applied to the human head. In this respect, the word trauma refers to an injury cause by a physical force applied outside of the body. A direct impact or a violent acceleration/deceleration can cause the brain to collide with the inside surface of the skull. The majority of traumatic brain injury occurrences involve concussions, particularly among children.
Traumatic brain injuries in children can produce serious damage in young, still-developing brain tissue. A large percentage of youth participation in sports like football and soccer contribute to a higher occurrence of TBI, mostly concussions, in adolescents and pre-adolescents. Traumatic brain injury in small children, ages 0-4, tends to be linked to cases of trip and falls, falls from small heights (off of furniture), and from child abuse (shaken baby syndrome).
10 Common Symptoms of Traumatic Brain Injuries
In most cases TBI and concussions, these 10 warning signs may indicate that a brain injury is present:
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Nausea / Vomiting
- Lack of Concentration
- Impaired Memory / Confusion
- Loss of Consciousness
- Speech Impairment / Slurring
- Trouble Focusing / Concentrating
- Blurry Vision
- Impulsiveness / Vocal Outbursts
Youth Traumatic Brain Injury Statistics
- US emergency rooms treat nearly 564,000 brain injuries in youth ages 0 to 19 each year, with at least 130,000 cases related to sports injuries.
- Nearly 62,000 children and teenagers are hospitalized for TBI each year.
- High-school athletes sustain between 136,000 and 300,000 concussions per year.
- Athletes ages 16 to 18 account for 29% of all sports-related concussions.
- In 2012, concussions represent 13.2% of injuries in 20 different high-school sports. 2/3 of concussions occur during competitive play, 1/3 during practice.
- According to the CDC, 173,285 cases of TBI were treated in emergency rooms for youth under age 19 from the years 2001 through 2009.
- Female high school basketball players suffer 240 percent more concussions than males (13,000)
- High school athletes who have been concussed are three times more likely to suffer another concussion in the same season.
- 15.8 percent of football players who sustain a concussion severe enough to cause loss of consciousness return to play the same day
- 50 percent of “second impact syndrome” incidents – brain injury caused from a premature return to activity after suffering initial injury (concussion) – result in death.
Traumatic Brain Injury and Youth Sports
Any child suspected of a head injury should be examined for a possible concussion by a trained medical professional. The CDC offers several resources and free fact sheets to coaches, parents, and players regarding the basics of recognizing concussions. Many colleges, along with a few high schools, have begun using accelerometers in their helmets. The small electronic device fits snugly into any existing helmet and does not require any modifications.
If a parent or coach suspects a child has suffered a traumatic brain injury, they should seek medical attention right away. A health care provider will be able to determine the severity of the injury. Do not let the child return to play until a health care professional says it is safe. Athletes who return to a game or practice too soon are at a greater risk for having a second head injury.
References:
Brain Injury Association of American
Mom’s Team
Wake Forest Baptist Health
