If your child has experienced a concussion, whether it happened during a sporting event or another type of accident, seeing a neurologist is not always necessary. Most primary care providers are able to offer guidance for managing symptoms (such as headaches, trouble thinking or fatigue), provide a concussion treatment plan, monitor progress during follow-up visits,…
Summer is the biggest time for bicycle accidents. According to Safe Kids Worldwide, injuries from wheeled sports sent 426,000 kids — more than 50 children every hour — to U.S. emergency rooms last year. During that same period, Norton Children’s Hospital treated hundreds of kids for bike-related injuries, including concussion, traumatic brain injury, also called…
When you think of traumatic brain injury (TBI), also called acquired brain injury (ABI), you may think of car crashes or sports injuries. However, a recent study shows that common home furnishings and fixtures are also frequently associated with TBI in children. TBI is an acquired brain injury that happens when a sudden trauma causes…
Motorized scooters are becoming more popular in Louisville and major cities across the United States. But this new transportation fad comes with a potential serious health risk. According to a study in the American Journal of Otolaryngology, facial and head injuries from electric scooter accidents have tripled during the past decade. During that time, researchers estimated…
For the first time in eight years, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has updated its recommendations for children recovering from concussions, easing restrictions on electronics and physical activity. The AAP is no longer recommending complete removal of electronic devices, such as television, computers and smartphones, following a concussion. In addition, the guidelines support children…
A toddler’s or baby’s concussion symptoms are generally the same as other ages, but since children can’t communicate like adults, here are signs to watch for: Baby concussion symptoms Any persistent behavior change, such as irritability or distractedness Any change in the baby’s sleeping habits — sleeping more or less Any behavior, such as vomiting,…
Youth football players represent 70 percent of all players in the United States. Yet, many studies have focused on measuring head impact in high school, college and professional athletes. Few studies on direct hits in youth football have emerged until now. A study published in Journal of Neurosurgery: Pediatrics in October shows youth football players…
You don’t normally see soccer players wearing head protection. But for 15-year-old Ruby Fitzer, it’s a requirement. “I don’t like wearing it — it leaves a mark on my forehead,” said Ruby, a goalie for Dupont Manual High School in Louisville. “But the reality is I need it in order to keep playing.” Unfortunately, between…