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Updated: Apr 28, 2026
Assessing Changes in Synaptic Plasticity Using an Awake Closed-Head Injury Model of Mild Traumatic Brain Injury
Published on: January 20, 2023
Office management of mild head injury in children and adolescents
Juan Antonio Garcia-Rodriguez1, Roger E Thomas2
1Assistant Professor, Department of Family Medicine at the University of Calgary in Alberta. juanantonio@shaw.ca.
Objective:
To provide family physicians with updated, practical, evidence-based information about mild head injury (MHI) and concussion in the pediatric population.
Sources Of Information:
MEDLINE (1950 to February 2013), the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (2005 to 2013), the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (2005 to 2013), and DARE (2005 to 2013) were searched using terms relevant to concussion and head trauma. Guidelines, position statements, articles, and original research relevant to MHI were selected.
Main Message:
Trauma is the main cause of death in children older than 1 year of age, and within this group head trauma is the leading cause of disability and death. Nine percent of reported athletic injuries in high school students involve MHI. Family physicians need to take a focused history, perform physical and neurologic examinations, use standardized evaluation instruments (Glasgow Coma Scale; the Sport Concussion Assessment Tool, version 3; the child version of the Sport Concussion Assessment Tool; and the Balance Error Scoring System), instruct parents how to monitor their children, decide when caregivers are not an appropriately responsible resource, follow up with patients promptly, guide a safe return to play and to learning, and decide when neuropsychological testing for longer-term follow-up is required.
Conclusion:
A thorough history, physical and neurologic assessment, the use of validated tools to provide an objective framework, and periodic follow-up are the basis of family physician management of pediatric MHI.
Insights
Family physicians can effectively manage pediatric mild head injury (MHI) and concussion by using evidence-based tools and providing consistent follow-up care. This ensures optimal recovery and return to daily activities for young patients.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric medicine
- Neurology
- Sports medicine
Background:
- Mild head injury (MHI) and concussion are significant concerns in children, with head trauma being a leading cause of disability and death.
- MHI accounts for 9% of high school athletic injuries, highlighting the need for specialized management strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To equip family physicians with updated, practical, and evidence-based information for managing pediatric mild head injury (MHI) and concussion.
- To outline key components of effective MHI management in children.
Main Methods:
- Comprehensive literature search of MEDLINE, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and DARE (1950-2013).
- Inclusion of guidelines, position statements, articles, and original research relevant to pediatric MHI.
- Utilized standardized evaluation instruments for objective assessment.
Main Results:
- Effective management requires a focused history, physical and neurological examinations, and standardized tools like the Glasgow Coma Scale and Sport Concussion Assessment Tool.
- Physicians must guide parents on monitoring, determine appropriate caregiver responsibility, and ensure prompt follow-up.
- Guidance on safe return to play and learning, and determining the need for neuropsychological testing is crucial.
Conclusions:
- A thorough history, physical, and neurological assessment form the foundation of pediatric MHI management.
- The use of validated tools provides an objective framework for clinical decision-making.
- Periodic follow-up is essential for successful family physician management of pediatric MHI.
