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Predicting Concussion Recovery in Children and Adolescents in the Emergency Department

  • Neurotrauma (D. Sandsmark, Section Editor)
  • Published:
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Abstract

Purpose of Review

Concussion, or mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI), represents the majority of pediatric Emergency Department (ED) presentations of TBI. While most children and adolescents will recover within 4 weeks of injury, approximately one third will continue to experience persisting symptoms. This review aimed to provide an overview of literature from the past 5 years examining predictors of recovery in the ED.

Recent Findings

Predictors could be characterized into three categories; (i) cognition, (ii) proteomics, and (iii) pre-injury/injury-related factors. There is preliminary support for the use of computerized neuropsychological testing. The prognostic use of proteomics is a promising area of future research. Pre-injury and injury-related characteristics have been thoroughly examined and developed into a clinical risk score for predicting delayed recovery.

Summary

Substantial progress has been made in identifying risk factors for delayed recovery at ED presentation. The current evidence provides a platform for additional research that can refine and validate these predictors.

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Papers of particular interest, published recently, have been highlighted as: • Of importance •• Of major importance

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Correspondence to Michael Takagi.

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Conflict of Interest

Vanessa C. Rausa, Vicki Anderson, Franz E Babl, and Michael Takagi each declare no potential conflicts of interest.

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This article does not contain any studies with human or animal subjects performed by any of the authors.

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This article is part of the Topical Collection on Neurotrauma

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Rausa, V.C., Anderson, V., Babl, F.E. et al. Predicting Concussion Recovery in Children and Adolescents in the Emergency Department. Curr Neurol Neurosci Rep 18, 78 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11910-018-0881-z

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