CDC Reports Increase in Youth Athletes Treated for Traumatic Brain Injuries

There has been a 60% increase in emergency department visits from 2001 to 2009 for children and teens being treated for traumatic brain injuries (TBI) related to sports and other recreational activities. This is according to a recent report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

According to the study, the number of TBIs in this age group rose from over 153,000 in 2001 to over 248,000 in 2009. 71% of the emergency room visits involved male patients. For children nine years old or younger, the most common activities leading to TBIs were playground activities and bicycling. For males ages 10-19, injuries occurred most often from football or bicycling; for females in this age group, the most common causes were soccer, basketball, and bicycling.

A CDC expert believes that one reason for the increase in emergency department visits "may be a result of the growing awareness among parents and coaches, and the public as a whole, about the need for individuals with a suspected TBI to be seen by a health care professional."