Concussions and Brain Injuries in Children: United States, 2020
Insights
This study estimates concussion prevalence in children aged 0-17 years using the 2020 National Health Interview Survey. It captures both symptoms and diagnoses to understand the full public health impact of mild traumatic brain injuries.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Concussion, a mild traumatic brain injury, has a prevalence that varies based on survey methods.
- Mild injuries may not be diagnosed by healthcare professionals, potentially underestimating the public health burden.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present national estimates of concussion symptomatology and diagnoses in children aged 0-17 years.
- To provide a more comprehensive understanding of the public health burden of concussions in pediatric populations.
- To utilize data from the 2020 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) for accurate reporting.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from the 2020 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS).
- Collected information on lifetime concussion symptomatology and healthcare professional diagnoses.
- Data reported by a knowledgeable adult (usually a parent) for children aged 0-17 years.
Main Results:
- National estimates of concussion prevalence, including both symptoms and diagnoses, were calculated.
- The study provides insights into the underreporting of mild traumatic brain injuries in children.
- Data highlights the importance of considering both symptoms and formal diagnoses for a complete picture.
Conclusions:
- The 2020 NHIS provides valuable data for understanding pediatric concussion prevalence.
- A comprehensive approach measuring both symptoms and diagnoses is crucial for assessing the public health impact of concussions.
- Further research can build upon these findings to improve concussion management and prevention strategies in children.
Abstract:
A concussion is a mild type of traumatic brain injury (1). Previous studies using national data have shown that concussion prevalence can differ by survey methodology and question wording (2). The 2020 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) included questions on concussion to measure both symptoms and diagnosis from a health care provider to provide a more complete understanding of the public health burden, because children with mild injuries may not see a doctor or receive a diagnosis. This report presents national estimates of lifetime symptomatology and health care professional diagnoses of concussions or brain injuries as reported by a knowledgeable adult, usually a parent, in children aged 0-17 years using data from the 2020 NHIS.
