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A Multi-Modal Approach to Assessing Recovery in Youth Athletes Following Concussion
Published on: September 25, 2014
Hospitalisations for sport-related concussions in US children aged 5 to 18 years during 2000-2004
1Department of Community and Behavioral Health, College of Public Health, The University of Iowa, 200 Hawkins Drive, E236 GH, Iowa City, Iowa 52242, USA. jingzhen-yang@uiowa.edu
Insights
Paediatric sport-related concussions led to over 3700 hospitalizations and $29 million in charges between 2000-2004. Older children and rural hospitals were more likely to admit these cases.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Emergency Medicine
- Sports Medicine
- Public Health
Background:
- Sport-related concussions are a significant cause of pediatric injury.
- Hospitalization patterns and associated costs for these injuries are not well-defined.
- Understanding patient and hospital factors is crucial for effective management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify patient and hospital characteristics linked to hospital admissions for non-fatal sport-related concussions in children.
- To determine factors influencing these hospitalizations.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (2000-2004) for children aged 5-18 with a primary diagnosis of sport-related concussion.
- Documentation of length of stay and hospital charges.
- Logistic regression to assess associations between patient/hospital characteristics and concussion hospitalizations.
Main Results:
- Over 3700 hospitalizations and $29 million in total charges were documented nationwide.
- Older age was associated with increased odds of hospitalization.
- Non-teaching and rural hospitals showed higher odds of admitting sport-related concussions compared to teaching or urban facilities.
Conclusions:
- Management of pediatric sport-related concussions varies significantly based on patient and hospital factors.
- There is a need for improved guidelines for the identification and management of these injuries.
- Standardized hospital treatment protocols for concussive injuries may be beneficial.
Objectives:
To describe patient and hospital characteristics associated with hospitalisation for a diagnosis of non-fatal sport-related concussion, and to determine factors associated with these hospitalisations.
Methods:
Children aged 5-18 years with a primary diagnosis of a sport-related concussion in the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (2000-2004) were identified. Length of stay and hospital charges for sport-related concussions were documented. Logistic regression was used to assess the association of patient or hospital characteristics with hospitalisations for sport-related concussion.
Results:
Between 2000 and 2004, a total of 755 non-fatal paediatric sport-related hospitalisations for concussion were identified. Nationwide, this represents 3712 hospitalisations and over US$29 million total hospital charges, with nearly US$6 million in total hospital charges per year. Over half (52.3%) of patients with concussion experienced loss of consciousness. Over 80% of the patients hospitalised for concussion received no procedures during their average 1.1 day (median 0.8 day) of hospital stay. Older age, but not gender, was associated with increased odds of sport-related hospitalisations for concussion. Non-teaching hospitals or hospitals in rural areas had significantly greater odds of admitting sport-related concussions versus other sport-related traumatic brain injuries compared with teaching or urban hospitals.
Conclusions:
Management of paediatric sport-related concussions varied, depending on the patient and the hospital. Better guidelines are needed for the identification and management of sport-related concussions. Standardised procedures for hospitals treating concussive injuries may also be warranted.
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