Concussions in Kids
At my son’s Little League game last week, the first pitch hit his teammate in the head. Everyone gasped as a loud “crack” sounded, and the batter fell to the ground, motionless over home plate.
Thankfully, he stood up shortly after, shaken up but not severely injured. He had a well-fitted helmet that took the impact of the pitch. However, because he’d been hit in the head and might have had a concussion, he wasn’t allowed to play in the rest of the game. It left my son and his teammates asking, why not?
It can be hard for kids and athletes to understand why someone can’t continue playing when they look and feel okay after a head injury. Let’s look at why it’s so important to treat head injuries carefully and cautiously.
What is a concussion?
A concussion is a type of brain injury that temporarily changes how the brain functions.
When a head injury causes the brain to “rattle” back and forth in the skull, a concussion may develop.
It’s well known that concussions happen in contact sports such as soccer, basketball, and football, but they also can happen in everyday life. I have seen patients with concussions from severe whiplash during a car accident, hitting their head when getting up from under a table, to tripping and falling (hitting their head very hard on the ground).
Why is it important to recognize concussions when they happen?
While concussions are not life-threatening, the effects of concussions in kids can be very serious.
Children’s brains are still developing into early adulthood (until about age 25). Injuries to the brain during this time can affect the brain long-term functioning if not treated appropriately.
While some concussions may be “mild” or less serious than others, it’s important to address and monitor all concussions through recovery. If concussions occur back-to-back – for example, if one happens again before recovering from the first concussion – permanent brain damage can occur.
My son’s Little League coach knew this risk and kept the player out the rest of the game both to monitor for signs of concussion and to prevent any additional head injury from causing additional damage.
What are signs of concussions in children?
Many people think concussions only happen if you “pass out” after a head injury, but this isn’t true; many concussions I see in my office follow head injuries with no loss of consciousness.
Concussion symptoms often are present shortly after the injury, but some patients don’t see symptoms until a day or 2 later.
Common concussion symptoms include:
- Confusion or difficulty concentrating
- Headache
- Blurry vision
- Dizziness/balance problems
- Memory loss
- Sensitivity to light or sound
- Difficulty falling asleep
- Mood changes
If your child doesn’t have signs of a serious head injury and remains alert, moves normally, and responds to you, the injury usually doesn’t need urgent evaluation. In those cases, your child can often follow up with their doctor within 1-2 days regarding concussion symptoms. In the meantime, they should rest and avoid school and physical activity. Typically, no medical imaging is needed to diagnose a concussion.
Preventing Concussions
To help prevent concussions in kids, we recommend the following:
- Make sure your child uses an appropriate car safety seat or belt for their age and height/weight
- Have your child always wear a helmet when doing recreational activities such as biking, skateboarding, roller skating, snowboarding or skiing.
- Follow guidelines for face and head protection during contact sports. Helmets must fit correctly to be effective protection. Coaches should also encourage athletes to play by the rules of the game and learn safe techniques.
- “Baby proof” your living space to prevent kids from serious falls (such as down the stairs).
If your child has a head injury that could be a concussion, please contact their doctor.
Resources For Parents
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
American Academy of Pediatrics
Sports-related concussions – Understanding the risks, signs and symptoms
My Doctor Online
Featured Author
I joined the pediatrics team at Kaiser Permanente South Sacramento to help kids thrive. A professional interest of mine is to support breastfeeding families as an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC). During my medical training, I also pursued a degree in public health/health promotion - a field which applies to every patient visit in pediatrics. Yet, some of my most relevant experiences as a pediatrician has come from my two children, who have “trained” me first-hand on the challenges of parenthood and in finding the balance between evidence-based recommendations and reality to achieve optimal childhood growth and development.
Dr. Frost's full biography can be found on My Doctor Online. Disclaimer: If you have an emergency medical condition, call 911 or go to the nearest hospital. An emergency medical condition is any of the following: (1) a medical condition that manifests itself by acute symptoms of sufficient severity (including severe pain) such that you could reasonably expect the absence of immediate medical attention to result in serious jeopardy to your health or body functions or organs; (2) active labor when there isn't enough time for safe transfer to a Plan hospital (or designated hospital) before delivery, or if transfer poses a threat to your (or your unborn child's) health and safety, or (3) a mental disorder that manifests itself by acute symptoms of sufficient severity such that either you are an immediate danger to yourself or others, or you are not immediately able to provide for, or use, food, shelter, or clothing, due to the mental disorder. This information is not intended to diagnose health problems or to take the place of specific medical advice or care you receive from your physician or other health care professional. If you have persistent health problems, or if you have additional questions, please consult with your doctor. If you have questions or need more information about your medication, please speak to your pharmacist. Kaiser Permanente does not endorse the medications or products mentioned. Any trade names listed are for easy identification only.