Gaps in concussion management across school-aged children.

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Neurology
• Sports Medicine
• Public Health

Background:

• Concussion identification and management in students is crucial for academic and athletic success.
• Demographic and injury-related factors can influence the diagnostic and treatment pathways for student concussions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate how demographic characteristics and injury circumstances affect the identification and management of concussions in students.
• To compare concussion-related outcomes between elementary/middle school (E/MS) and high school (HS) students.

Main Methods:

• A prospective observational cohort study was conducted involving pre-K to 12th-grade students diagnosed with concussion.
• Students were categorized into E/MS and HS groups, with data collected on sex, concussion history, injury setting/mechanism, time to evaluation/clearance, absences, and accommodations.

Main Results:

• E/MS students (n=154) had fewer school/sports-related concussions than HS students (n=230).
• Sex differences in concussion incidence were observed in E/MS (more males) and HS (more females).
• E/MS students, particularly females and those injured outside school, experienced longer evaluation times; E/MS males were cleared faster than females. HS students showed no sex-based differences in injury factors or management.

Conclusions:

• Demographic and injury factors influencing concussion management differ between E/MS and HS students.
• Younger students, especially females or those with non-school/sports injuries, may experience delayed concussion identification and clearance.
• Further research is needed to understand concussion management in E/MS children.