Concussions in Children Can Be More Serious Than Parents Believe - Brain Injury Could Result

PRLog (Press Release) - Feb. 20, 2010 - Recently, they have been warning that concussions should be taken much more seriously not only by parents, but teachers and coaches as well.  Apparently, a concussion can be a sign of a more severe brain injury.

Researchers from the School of Rehabilitation Science at McMaster University in Ontario claim that a concussion is actually a brain injury, and that the term "concussion" can be misleading.  According to the researchers, there are varying levels of severity and different types of brain injuries that can take place.  Dr. Carol DeMatteo, head researcher of the University, claims that concussions should actually be called "mild brain injuries."  By changing the terminology, children would have access to the kind of treatment they need.  

Dr. DeMatteo states that children who return to school too soon after having a concussion are at an increased risk of suffering an additional brain injury.  According to the researchers, children who only have a "concussion" spend less time in the hospital, and miss fewer days of school.  The recuperation period between leaving the hospital and returning to school is very brief as well.

The concern of using the term concussion instead of mild brain injury is that children return to school to soon and participate in activities that put them at risk of a more serious brain injury.  In fact, Dr. DeMatteo says that these injuries can occur while at play or performing sports and other school activities.  A second injury following soon after a first can be very serious, and even cause permanent damage to the brain.  The findings of the study can be found in the January edition of Pediatrics.

When children experience headaches, fatigue, changed moods or memory issues after a concussion, it is imperative that they see a doctor.  Parents, teachers, coaches and other responsible adults at schools are being called upon by the researchers to take concussions more seriously, and to make certain any injured child undergo a medical exam.  Children with concussions should not return to school or participate in sports before having a medical examination. Someone with a family member in need of a California brain injury attorney (http://www.robertreeveslaw.com/california/brain-injury.html) should consider contacting The Reeves Law Group.

The Reeves Law Group has offices across California and is dedicated to representing personal injury victims, including victims of brain injuries.  Please contact us for a free consultation at (800) 644-8000.

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Article distributed by Joel McLaughlin. These press releases are used to help inform the public of new valuable information relating to several different industries.