Citation

Chizuk HM, Cunningham A, Horn EC, Thapar RS, Willer BS, Leddy JJ, Haider MN. Clin. J. Sport. Med. 2022; ePub(ePub): ePub.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2022, Canadian Academy of Sport Medicine, Publisher Lippincott Williams and Wilkins)

DOI

10.1097/JSM.0000000000001044

PMID

35533140

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To determine the number of prior concussions associated with increased incidence of persistent postconcussive symptoms (PPCS) in a cohort of acutely concussed pediatric patients.

DESIGN: Prospective observational cohort study. SETTING: Three university-affiliated concussion clinics. PARTICIPANTS: Two hundred seventy participants (14.9 ± 1.9 years, 62% male, 54% with prior concussion) were assessed within 14 days of concussion and followed to clinical recovery. Participants with a second head injury before clinical recovery were excluded. MEASURES AND MAIN OUTCOME: Concussion history, current injury characteristics, recovery time, and risk for prolonged recovery from current concussion.

RESULTS: There was no statistically significant change in PPCS risk for participants with 0, 1 or 2 prior concussions; however, participants with 3 or more prior concussions had a significantly greater risk of PPCS. Twelve participants sustained a subsequent concussion after clinical recovery from their first injury and were treated as a separate cohort. Our secondary analysis found that these participants took longer to recover and had a greater incidence of PPCS during recovery from their latest concussion.

CONCLUSION: Pediatric patients with a history of 3 or more concussions are at greater risk of PPCS than those with fewer than 3 prior concussions.

Language: en