Cognitive Consequences of Pediatric Sports-Related Concussions Essay

Results: The results of this research review provide the most current information in regards to pediatric concussion and neurological and cognitive consequences. These results support the working hypothesis that the cognitive consequences of pediatric sports-related concussions do not outweigh the benefits associated with childhood sports participation. In a cohort study (total n=200), investigators looked at return to cognitive baseline after concussion in younger versus older athletes. Participants were divided into two groups, a 13-16 year old group (n=100), and 18-22 year old group (n = 100). Each participant completed baseline and post concussion neurocognitive testing using the immediate Post-Concussion assessment and Cognitive Testing (ImPACT) test battery. Results showed that athletes 13-16 years old take longer to return to neurocognitive and symptom baselines than athletes 18-22 years old (22). In a prospective design study, 18 children with mTBI and 18 matched healthy controls (8-16 years of age) were used to compare sensitivity to simple and complex visual stimuli and to determine the evolution of visuo-perceptual performance over time. At 1, 4 and 12 weeks sensitivity to static and dynamic forms of simple (first order), complex (second order), orientation and direction identification thresholds, and radial optic flow stimuli were assessed. The results of this study demonstrate that all complex stimuli were significantly affected for the mTBI children, including at the 12 week interval. There was also no difference between groups across all testing conditions for simple, first order information (2). An observational study from 2008 looked at high school athletes and recovery patterns after concussion. Out o... ...lity following traumatic brain injury in childhood: impact of injury severity and age at injury. Pediatr Neurosurg.2000;32 :282– 290. http://search.proquest.com.proxy.lib.umich.edu/docview/224152197?accountid=14667 29. McCrory, P, AM Collie, V Anderson, and G Davis. "Can We Manage Sport Related Concussion in Children the Same as in Adults?." British Journal of Sports Medicine. 38.5 (2004): 516-519. doi: 10.1136/bjsm.2004.014811 30. McCrory P, Meeuwisse W, Aubry M, et al. Consensus statement on concussion in sport - the third international conference on concussion in sport held in Zurich, November 2012. Phys Sportsmed. 2013; 47:250–258 . doi:10.1136/bjsports-2013-092313 31. Purcell, Lisa. "What are the most appropriate return-to-play guidelines for concussed child athletes?" British Journal of Sports Medicine. 43.1 (2009): i51-i55. doi:10.1136/bjsm.2009.058214