Concussive head injury in children and adolescents.
BACKGROUND
Awareness of concussive head injury continues to grow, aided by greater understanding of the neurobiological underpinnings of concussions and its short-term and long-term consequences. Younger players who are in the midst of their neurodevelopmental trajectory continue to be placed at risk; therefore, more must be done to educate clinicians, parents, coaches and players alike in this area. Our understanding of concussive injury is evolving and more integrated models of care are being developed so as to provide patients with the holistic model of care needed in the post-concussive context.


OBJECTIVE
In this article, we outline a contemporary perspective on concussion, and address an evidence-based approach to children and adolescents who have suffered a concussive injury.


CONCLUSIONS
Good clinical care of a patient with concussion by the primary care physician is the best prevention of adverse outcomes. The ability of the primary care physician to recognise when to treat and when to refer will be an important agent for change in  this field.
Gary J
GJ
Browne
Stefan
S
Dimou
D000293:Adolescent; D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000628:therapy; D001924:Brain Concussion / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*; D002648:Child; D019468:Disease Management; D006801:Humans