Concussions in the first 6 years of life can have lingering side effects

Embargoed until: Publicly released: 2024-03-22 02:00

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Kids who experience a concussion between the ages of six months and six years can experience symptoms for up to three months after the injury, according to Canadian research. The researchers compared symptoms among a group of kids with concussions and groups of kids who either injured their arms or legs, or had no injuries. They found that there were more concussion-related symptoms among the kids who had concussion at the time of injury and at 10 days, one month, and three months after the injury. At three months, seven symptoms were more common in the concussion group including headache, nausea, balance, fatigue, drowsiness, sleep, vision, and sensitivity to noise. The authors say this reinforces the idea that early childhood concussions are not benign.

Media release

From: JAMA

Postconcussive Symptoms After Early Childhood Concussion

JAMA Network Open
Original Investigation

About JAMA Network Open: JAMA Network Open is an online-only open access general medical journal from the JAMA Network. On weekdays, the journal publishes peer-reviewed clinical research and commentary in more than 40 medical and health subject areas. Every article is free online from the day of publication.

About The Study: In this early childhood study including 303 children, concussion was associated with more postconcussive symptoms than orthopedic injuries or typical development up to three months after injury. Given the limited verbal and cognitive abilities typical of early childhood, using developmentally appropriate manifestations and behaviors is a valuable way of tracking postconcussive symptoms and could aid in concussion diagnosis in young children.

Authors: Miriam Beauchamp, Ph.D., of the Universite de Montreal, is the corresponding author.

(doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.3182)

Editor’s Note: Please see the article for additional information, including other authors, author contributions and affiliations, conflict of interest and financial disclosures, and funding and support.

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Journal/
conference: JAMA Network Open

Research:Paper

Organisation/s: Université de Montréal, Canada

Funder: This study was supported by grants from the CIHR (grant No. 148417; Dr Beauchamp) and the Dale Jr Foundation (Dr Rose).

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