A pediatric concussion is a mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) that occurs in children and adolescents due to a direct or indirect force to the head. Unlike adult concussions, pediatric cases pose unique challenges due to the ongoing brain development, difficulty in symptom assessment, and potential long-term consequences on cognitive and emotional well-being.
The aim is to develop an age-appropriate definition of sport and exercise in children and adolescents for use in concussion management and concussion research.
A modified Delphi methodology, with three rounds and consensus, defined a priori as ≥ 80% agreement.
Thirty-one participants (13 male, 18 female) from 13 countries, including clinical psychologists, epidemiologists, implementation scientists, neurologists, neuropsychologists, neurosurgeons, pediatric emergency physicians, pediatricians, physiotherapists, rehabilitation physicians, speech-language pathologists, and sports medicine physicians came to a consensus that sport-related pediatric concussion extends beyond the sporting arena, and includes the school yard, playground, park, street, recreational site, and home; excludes non-accidental violence, assault, and passenger vehicle road trauma; may include falls; and age-group terminology includes Toddlers and Young Children (1-4 years), Children (5-12 years), and Adolescents (13 to < 18 years). Sport and exercise categories and individual examples are provided.
This consensus definition of sport and exercise in pediatrics for concussion research and management will enable researchers and guideline development groups to expand pediatric concussion research and management guidelines to encompass the broad range of activities commonly associated with sport– and exercise-related concussion in children and adolescents and thus limit the exclusion of relevant studies from systematic reviews and guideline development 1).
The study provides a much-needed standardized definition of sport and exercise in pediatric concussion research, ensuring that relevant activities are included in future guidelines—however, the lack of empirical validation and potential overgeneralization warrant further investigation. Future research should focus on testing this definition in real-world concussion management and surveillance programs. Additionally, addressing socioeconomic and cultural variations in how children engage in exercise and play could enhance the definition's applicability across diverse populations
- Concussions result from biomechanical forces causing axonal stretching, metabolic dysregulation, and transient neural dysfunction. - Unlike adults, children have higher brain plasticity but increased vulnerability due to thinner skulls, incomplete myelination, and greater head-to-body ratio. - The neurometabolic cascade following concussion includes:
Pediatric concussions present with a wide range of symptoms, often categorized into four domains:
| Domain | Symptoms |
| —————– | ————- |
| Physical | Headache, dizziness, nausea, light/sound sensitivity, balance issues |
| Cognitive | Attention deficits, memory problems, brain fog, slowed reaction time |
| Emotional | Irritability, mood swings, anxiety, depression |
| Sleep-related | Insomnia, excessive sleep, fragmented sleep |
- Toddlers and younger children may show non-specific signs such as excessive crying, behavioral changes, or sleep disturbances, making diagnosis challenging.
1. Clinical Interview & History
2. Sideline/Initial Assessment Tools
3. Imaging (if indicated)
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#### Initial Management - Cognitive & Physical Rest (24-48 hours) - Symptom-limited Activity: Gradual reintroduction of cognitive tasks and low-intensity activities. - Multidisciplinary Approach: Involves pediatricians, neuropsychologists, physiotherapists, and educators.
#### Return-to-Play (RTP) & Return-to-Learn (RTL) Protocols - Gradual, stepwise approach, ensuring symptom resolution before progression. - School modifications: Reduced screen time, shortened school days, extra breaks. - Physical reconditioning: Light aerobic exercise before contact sports.
| Stage | Activity | Goal |
| ———– | ———— | ———- |
| 1 | Symptom-limited rest | Recovery |
| 2 | Light aerobic exercise | Increase HR |
| 3 | Sport-specific drills (non-contact) | Coordination |
| 4 | Non-contact training | Cognitive load |
| 5 | Full-contact practice | Readiness for competition |
| 6 | Return to play | Normal gameplay |
- Post-Concussion Syndrome (PCS): Persistent symptoms > 4 weeks, requiring specialized intervention.
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1. Underreporting & Misdiagnosis
2. Long-Term Neurodevelopmental Impact
3. Limited Evidence on Pediatric-Specific Treatments
- Biomarkers for Objective Diagnosis (e.g., GFAP, UCH-L1 in blood tests) - Advanced Neuroimaging: fMRI, DTI for subtle brain injury detection. - AI & Machine Learning in Concussion Management - Concussion Prevention Strategies: Rule changes in youth sports, helmet technology improvements.
Pediatric concussions require early recognition, individualized management, and a stepwise return to activity. Given the developing brain's vulnerability, research efforts should focus on biomarkers, imaging advances, and long-term cognitive outcomes. Future concussion guidelines must consider age-appropriate definitions of sport and exercise to ensure comprehensive injury prevention and management.