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9 Are You Up to Speed on Concussions? By Nirav K. Shah, MD S tudies show that head injuries in young children are more likely to occur in the spring and summer months and on weekends, when children are busy enjoying outdoor activities, including riding their bicycles and skateboards, and practicing for fall sports like football, soccer, wrestling and cheerleading. And, head injuries occur just as easily on the sports field as they do playing in the backyard. But are parents, coaches and teachers able to recognize and properly respond to head injuries, particularly concussions? And when should a child resume not only physical activities but also return to classroom studies? A concussion is an injury to the brain that changes how the brain normally works. It is usually caused by a significant sudden blow or jolt to the head. Adults should be ready to recognize the most common physical signs of a concussion, keeping in mind that some children will continue to experience symptoms for weeks after, which often include: • A brief period of confusion or memory loss following the injury • Headache, vomiting, dizziness • Acting dazed or losing consciousness for even a brief time WHEN TO CALL 911 I recommend to patients that if a child has sustained a significant trauma to the head, bring them to your pediatrician immediately or go to your local hospital for evaluation and treatment by a medical doctor with expertise in head trauma. If the child is unconscious for more than a minute, is bleeding heavily, or experiences any mental confusion, do not move the child or sit him/her up. Call 911 for emergency medical care and transport to the nearest hospital. With our country's expanded emphasis on the study and treatment of concussions, we now have vastly improved tools and understanding to help younger patients return to normal brain function even after the brain has been compromised. As neurosurgeons, our ultimate goal is to restore the child's ability to pursue normal social, emotional and intellectual pursuits with renewed vigor and enjoyment. Nirav K. Shah, MD, is a board-certified neurosurgeon with Princeton Brain & Spine and on staff at CentraState Medical Center, with areas of expertise that include complex spinal surgery, intracranial tumor radiosurgery and concussion therapy. For more information about the Concussion Program at CentraState, call 732-637-6316. HD This article is a portion of a piece that was published on LiveScience.com. Nirav K. Shah, MD, board- certified neurosurgeon www.centrastate.com Fall 2014