Return to Play after Concussion for Child Athletes

Hundreds of thousands of high school students suffer concussions annually, according to conservative estimates. While most concussions are mild, not much more than 'head bumps' which resolve without sequelae, many represent serious brain trauma. Especially worrisome are injuries heralded by 'blacking out', losing consciousness, for more than one minute or extensive memory loss. Concussive brain injuries in student athletes are not limited to sports considered notoriously violent such as football, boxing, ice hockey, wrestling, and lacrosse. Other sports bearing a high risk for head injury include gymnastics, soccer and basketball.