A recent study published in The Journal of Pediatrics reveals that for children aged 5 to 12, recreation-related concussions (RRC) and non-sport or recreation-related concussions (non-SRRC) are more prevalent than sport-related concussions (SRC). The study, conducted by Dr. Patricia R. Roby and colleagues from the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, highlights critical differences in how these concussions are managed and their subsequent impacts on young patients.

The observational study, which analyzed data from 1,141 children treated at a specialty care concussion center between 2018 and 2022, found that RRC and non-SRRC accounted for 37.3% and 31.9% of the concussions, respectively. In contrast, SRCs were less common.

A significant finding of the study is the disparity in initial treatment locations and follow-up care among different concussion types. Non-SRRC and RRC patients were more likely to first seek care in emergency departments—39.6% and 35.7% respectively, compared to 27.9% for SRC patients. Moreover, children with RRC and non-SRRC experienced delays of two and three days, respectively, in seeing specialists compared to those with SRC.

The study also noted that children with non-SRRC displayed a higher symptom burden, more frequent visio-vestibular abnormalities, and greater disruptions to sleep and daily routines compared to their RRC and SRC counterparts.

The authors emphasize the need for improved concussion management and diagnosis tools for emergency and primary care providers. Additionally, they advocate for increased awareness and involvement from school personnel to help create a concussion-aware community. This, they suggest, could help reduce disparities in care and improve outcomes for all children suffering from concussions.