Study finds signs and symptoms of concussion differ markedly across age groups in youth athletes

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Researchers Franz E. Babl et al. conducted an observational study of youth concussions across 10 Emergency Departments (EDs) in New Zealand and Australia. The study, published in Journal of Neurosurgery, investigated associations between age and acute symptom presentation among 4,709 youth aged 5 – <18 (average age of 10.9 and 70% male). 

When analyzing acute symptom presentation among the three age groups (5–8, 9–12, and 13 to < 18), Babl et al. found that “signs and symptoms differed markedly across age groups, with vomiting decreasing and headache, LOC [loss of consciousness], amnesia, and disorientation increasing with increasing age.” They also found that symptom profiles were remarkably similar between male and female participants.

If researchers can solidify different symptom profiles that have some consistency among discrete age groups, it may help ED physicians diagnose concussions and potentially prescribe targeted interventions for youth presenting to EDs with concussion. 

The authors also found that the percentage of concussions that were sports-related increased as age increased, “from 19.1% to 48.9% to 63.0% in the 5–8, 9–12, and 13 to < 18 years age groups,” respectively.