Head injuries related to sports and recreation activities in school-age children and adolescents: Data from a referral centre in Victoria, Australia

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: Head injuries (HI) in children are common and even mild HI can lead to ongoing cognitive and behavioural changes. We set out to determine the causes of sport-related HI in school-age children presenting to a large urban ED as a basis for future interventions. METHOD: Identification and medical record review of all sport-related HI in children aged 6-16 years at a tertiary children's hospital ED in Victoria, Australia, over a 1 year period. Information was collected on demographics, injury variables and radiology findings. HI were classified as mild, moderate and severe based on GCS and radiography reports. RESULTS: Over 12 months there were 406 HI in school-age children. Seventy ..