A new study published in the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report reveals that two-thirds of sports- and recreation-related traumatic brain injuries in the U.S. occur in children and teenagers between the ages of 5 and 18. The report, published under the auspices of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, highlighted that there is an estimated 135,000 traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) suffered by young individuals who participate in a sports or recreation activity. This number accounts for 65% of all TBIs with 10,000 of these young individuals ending up hospitalized.

A traumatic brain injury is usually the result of a blow or strike to the head that disrupts normal brain function. It can be caused by sudden acceleration or deceleration of the brain within the skull. A concussion is an example of a TBI. The study collected data from the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System All Injury Program (NEISS-AIP) between the years of 2001 and 2005. It specifically assessed the total number of emergency department visits due to TBIs and the type of activities that were responsible for ER visits as a result of a TBI.

When the research team specifically evaluated individuals between the ages of 5 and 18, it found that the events that led to the highest number of TBI-related emergency department visits were activities that included football, basketball, soccer, as well as cycling and playground activities. Some activities in particular, registered a high percentage of TBIs that led to emergency evaluations. This included horseback riding, ice skating, riding all-terrain vehicles, hockey, and sledding. According to the MMWR, an estimated 3.8 million TBIs occur every year in the United States. Most brain injuries, however, are not reported because they are considered mild. Nevertheless, these types of traumatic incidents can lead to impaired cognitive abilities that can affect memory and psychoemotional behavior.

As per the CDC release, Dr. Julie Geberding stated that "These injuries are very serious and should never be ignored. Signs and symptoms of concussion can show up right after the injury, or can take days or weeks to be noticed. Learn the signs and if you believe that you see any, see a health care provider right away." Dr. Ileana Arias, the CDC's Injury Center Director, also added that "Playing a sport is a wonderful way for kids to have fun and be in shape, but there are risks involved in sports and recreational activities - especially when heads get bumped, players collide or get hit by balls, and people fall down. We need every coach, parent and athlete - from soccer to baseball to tennis, and across all age groups -- to help us recognize and react when a player might have a concussion."

As a result of these findings, the CDC is launching a New Youth Sports Tool Kit to assist parents and coaches in helping to prevent injuries in the young. The kit is free and includes step-by-step instructions on how to recognized and assess concussions. The kit can be downloaded free-of-charge online at: www.cdc.gov/ConcussionInYouthSports.

Sources:
CDC News: http://www.cdc.gov/od/oc/media/pressrel/2007/r070726.htm
CDC Injury Center Website: www.cdc.gov/injury