Christus Health: The Children's Hospital of San Antonio

Shaylon Rettig, MD, MBA A Mysterious Injury Soccer, basketball, and cheerleading are among the fall and winter school sports that put children at risk of concussions — brain injuries that may affect children in ways researchers are still trying to understand. "We don't know exactly what the long-term damage may be for any individual, but there is potential for concussions to contribute to learning challenges and mood disorders," says Shaylon Rettig, MD, MBA, section chief of Sports Medicine at The Children's Hospital of San Antonio and assistant professor of Pediatrics at the Baylor College of Medicine. "In the short term, the main challenge for many student athletes is returning to the classroom. "Often, students will miss school due to symptoms or because the effects of the injury make it difficult for them to keep pace academically," Dr. Rettig continues. "The additional workload and added stress to catch up can worsen their symptoms and lengthen recovery." Give the Brain a Break If a child appears to have sustained a concussion during a practice or game, returning to play is dangerous. The University Interscholastic League (UIL), the governing body for Texas public school sports, requires coaches to remove athletes with suspected concussions from play immediately. What the brain needs most after a traumatic injury like a concussion is rest, calm, and time to reestablish normal functioning. Parents should reduce or eliminate mental and sensory stimulus for children, such as TV, cellphones, music, and video games. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends resting and avoiding stimulation until symptoms pass. Every child is different, so discuss with your child's doctor what level of stimulation is appropriate during recovery. To resume playing sports, the UIL requires each athlete to complete the school district's return-to-play protocol and have a physician's written permission. "Children with suspected concussions should see a medical provider within 24 to 48 hours after the injury occurs, or immediately if they vomit persistently or have a worsening mental state," Dr. Rettig says. "A primary care physician can manage the condition or refer a child to a concussion specialist if close follow-up is needed." What Comes After a Concussion? When children suffer concussions while playing sports, it's up to coaches, athletic trainers, medical providers, and — most of all — parents to help them heal. Need a sports medicine physician for your young athlete? Visit chofsa.org/ sports or call 1.844.778.KIDS to find a sports medicine specialist near you. 3 The Children's Hospital of San Antonio • chofsa.org

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