this spring, kids will be returning to extra-curricular activities and organized sports in the community, much of which was cancelled over the past two years due to the covid-19 pandemic. as these activities resume, now is a good time to learn what to do in the event of a concussion.
concussions are one of the most common sports injuries in children and youth. canadian
data
show there are nearly 50,000 diagnosed concussions in children ages five to 19 every year — nearly half of which are sports-related.
concussions occur because of a bump or blow to the head which can jostle the brain. this can result from a bad fall, a soccer ball to the head, or bumping into another child, for example. concussions can happen even if children are wearing helmets or other protective gear.
so, what should we do if a head injury occurs?
it is very important for children and youth to stop playing after an injury of this nature and get assessed by a qualified health-care provider, which involves a physical evaluation and a review of medical history. but don’t expect a routine ct scan, because it may not be necessary.
unfortunately, there are many misconceptions about how to best assess, treat, and manage concussions in kids. the latest evidence shows that doing imaging tests like ct scans does not help to diagnose a concussion, and in fact, might cause more harm than good, such as exposing children to high doses of radiation. and excess radiation exposure in children raises concerns about
future cancer risk
.
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