rss
Br J Sports Med doi:10.1136/bjsm.2007.040923

Hospitalizations for sport-related concussions in US children aged 5 to 18 years during 2000-2004

  1. Jingzhen Yang (jingzhen-yang{at}uiowa.edu)
  1. The Department of Community and Behavioral Health, University of Iowa, Iowa City, United States
    1. George Phillips
    1. The Department of Pediatrics, Roy J. & Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, United States
      1. Huiyun Xiang
      1. Center for Injury Research and Policy, The Ohio State University, Columbus, United States
        1. Veerasathpurush Allareddy
        1. Injury Prevention Research Center, University of Iowa, Iowa City, United States
          1. Erin Heiden
          1. The Department of Community and Behavioral Health, University of Iowa, Iowa City, United States
            1. Corinne Peek-Asa
            1. The Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, University of Iowa, Iowa City, United States
              • Published Online First 23 January 2008

              Abstract

              Objectives: To describe patient and hospital characteristics associated with hospitalization for a diagnosis of non-fatal sport-related concussion, and to determine factors associated with these hospitalizations.

              Methods: Children aged 5 to 18 with a primary diagnosis of a sport-related concussion in the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (2000-2004) were identified. Length of stay and hospital charges for sport-related concussions were described. Logistic regression was used to assess the association of patient or hospital characteristics and sport-related concussion hospitalizations.

              Results: Between 2000 and 2004, a total of 755 non-fatal pediatric sport-related concussion hospitalizations were identified. Nationwide, this represents 3,712 hospitalizations and over $29 million total hospital charges, with nearly $6 million in total hospital charges per year. Over half (52.3%) of the concussion patients experienced loss of consciousness. Over 80% of the concussion hospitalizations received no procedures during their average 1.1 days (median=0.8 day) of hospital stay. Older age, but not gender, was associated with increased odds of sport-related concussion hospitalizations. Non-teaching hospitals or hospitals in rural areas had significantly greater odds of admitting sport-related concussions versus other sport-related traumatic brain injuries compared to teaching or urban hospitals.

              Conclusions: Management of pediatric sport-related concussions varied at the individual and hospital-level. Better guidelines are needed for the identification and management of sport-related concussions. Standardized procedures for hospitals treating concussive injuries may also be warranted.

              This Article

              1. Abstract
              2. PDF
              3. All versions of this article:
                1. bjsm.2007.040923v1
                2. 42/8/664most recent

              Responses

              1. Submit a response
              2. No responses published

              Register for free content


              Free trial
              Individuals may register for a free 60 day online trial to all content.

              Free archive
              The full back archive is now available for all BMJ Journals. Institutional subscribers may access the entire archive as part of their subscription. Personal subscribers will also have access to all content when logged in. Non-subscribers who register have free access to all articles published before 2006 right back to volume 1 issue 1. Register here to access the free archive of all BMJ Journals.

              Don't forget to sign up for content alerts so you keep up to date with all the articles as they are published.