Current opinion in pediatrics
-
Curr. Opin. Pediatr. · Dec 2012
ReviewEpidemiology, trends, assessment and management of sport-related concussion in United States high schools.
Sport-related concussion affects athletes at every level of participation. The short and long-term effects of concussions that occur during childhood and adolescence are not fully understood. The purpose of this review is to describe the current burden of disease, current practice patterns and current recommendations for the assessment and management of sport-related concussions sustained by United States high school athletes. ⋯ The number of high school athletes being diagnosed with sport-related concussions is rising. American football has the highest number of concussions in high school with girls' soccer having the second highest total number. Fortunately, coaches are becoming increasingly aware of these injuries and return-to-play guidelines are being implemented.
-
Curr. Opin. Pediatr. · Dec 2012
ReviewExamining the neural impact of pediatric concussion: a scoping review of multimodal and integrative approaches using functional and structural MRI techniques.
This study presents the findings from a scoping review of recent, original research investigating changes in brain structure and/or function following pediatric concussion or mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) using MRI and functional MRI techniques. ⋯ In conclusion, the literature describing neuroimaging investigations of pediatric concussion is too scarce to allow the formulation of definitive conclusions regarding the impact of concussion on the developing brain. There is a dire need for longitudinal, multisite investigations focused on a wider age range and recovery period.
-
Curr. Opin. Pediatr. · Dec 2012
ReviewField-based measures of head impacts in high school football athletes.
Recent technological advances have allowed the in-vivo measurement of impacts sustained to the head during helmeted sports. These measurements are of interest to researchers and clinicians for their potential to understand both the underlying mechanics of concussive injuries and the potential for real-time injury diagnostics. Following an overview of impact biomechanics, this review will evaluate the following: in-vivo technology being used in American football players; impact frequencies and magnitudes; and the biomechanical threshold for concussion. ⋯ High school athletes sustain a significant number of head impacts each year. The impacts are similar in both volume and magnitude when compared with collegiate athletes. The magnitude of impact that results in concussion is also the same at both levels of play, although the collegiate athlete may have a higher injury tolerance.
-
Curr. Opin. Pediatr. · Dec 2012
ReviewComplementary and alternative therapies for children and adolescents with ADHD.
To provide a comprehensive review of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) treatments for children and adolescents with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). ⋯ Most complementary and alternative treatments do not have adequate research to recommend their use in children with ADHD. Physicians should be aware of the many CAM treatment options and the research surrounding them in order to provide their patients with the most current and accurate information available.
-
According to recent Centers for Disease Control (CDC) data, the annual incidence of traumatic brain injury (TBI) in the United States is 1.6-3.2 million, of which the majority is classified as mild. Over half of these injuries occur in the pediatric population, and can often be attributed to a sports-related mechanism. Although postconcussion symptoms are usually short-lived, more lasting deficits can occur, which can be particularly disruptive to the developing brain. Recent literature detailing the pathophysiology of mild TBI (mTBI), with attention to pediatric studies, is presented. ⋯ Understanding the pathophysiology of concussion in the pediatric population can potentially open therapeutic avenues to decrease symptom persistence and prevent further injury. Future studies in the pediatric population are necessary given the pathophysiologic differences between the developing and adult brains.