Brain Injuries Increasing at an Alarming Rate Among Youth

Between 1997 and 2007, concussions among children 14 to 19 years old increased by upwards of 200 percent. During that same time period, the number of children between the ages of 8 and 13 who visited the emergency room for concussions more than doubled.

These statistics were included in a study released today by The American Academy of Pediatrics. Another study, released by the American Academy of Pediatrics’ sports council, focused on athletics-related concussions and head injuries.

These too have been increasing at a dramatic pace.

Regardless of which study you look at, the news is frightening. More children and young adults are suffering from concussions and other head and brain trauma than ever before.

This information comes at a time when brain injuries, in general, and especially those among professional athletes and soldiers serving overseas are being scrutinized more intensely.

In recent years, scientists have begun to make tentative links between brain injuries and degenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Lou Gehrig’s disease. This link, if it exists, could contradict years of popular opinion on the influence brain injuries have on brain disease.

Non-impact concussions suffered by soldiers exposed to explosive devices have also been recognized as a serious healthcare issue for returning troops.

Among children, a majority of reported concussions and head injuries are sports-related. Football, hockey and soccer all rate highly in regards to the frequency of concussions.

As CBS reports, surprisingly, girls seem to be suffering more concussions than their male counterparts.

Source Article

• Child Concussions on the Rise, Studies Show (CBS)