Hansen C, Teramoto M, Gardner JE, Capizzi AN. Sport participation among children with complicated mild traumatic brain injury.
PM R 2023;
15:943-953. [PMID:
36459541 DOI:
10.1002/pmrj.12928]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2021] [Revised: 10/07/2022] [Accepted: 11/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Complicated mild traumatic brain injury (C-mTBI) represents mTBI with positive trauma-related radiographic findings, such as hematoma. It is estimated that 7.5% of all pediatric mTBIs meet these criteria. There is a paucity of research on return to sports in children with C-mTBI.
OBJECTIVE
To examine children with C-mTBI, mTBI with skull fracture (mTBI-SF) only and mTBI in relation to sport participation and factors associated with repeated injury.
DESIGN
Cross-sectional survey.
SETTING
Level I pediatric trauma center.
PARTICIPANTS
Parents of children who were 5-18 years of age at the time of injury who sustained C-mTBI or mTBI from 2010 to 2013.
INTERVENTIONS
Not applicable.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES
Sports participation characteristics before and after injury in children with C-mTBI and mTBI as a function of degree and length of recovery. Repeat mTBI after the index injury was also examined.
RESULTS
Of 247 children who participated in sports preinjury (27.5% with C-mTBI and 9.7% with mTBI-SF), 95.1% returned to sports. There was no significant difference by mTBI type regarding participation in any sports (p = .811) nor with high-risk sports (p = .128). C-mTBI but not mTBI-SF (versus mTBI) was associated with lower odds of sustaining a repeat mTBI (odds ratio = 0.30, p = .045). Waiting longer (>3 months compared to <1 month) to return to contact sports was associated with lower odds of sustaining a repeat mTBI (odds ratio = 0.23, p < .05).
CONCLUSIONS
Children with C-mTBI and mTBI-SF resume similar sports as children with mTBI. Those with C-mTBI and those who take longer to return to play may have lower risk of repeat mTBIs. Prospective research is needed to inform the development of evidence-based guidelines for children with C-mTBI and mTBI-SF.
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