Football and Soccer Cited as Most Dangerous for TBIs in Children

Children in Escondido can suffer concussions and other types of traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) just as adults can. There are many common causes of TBIs in both kids and adults, including, for example, car crashes and sports-related accidents. According to a recent report in U.S. News & World Report, some sports and recreational activities are much more hazardous than others when it comes to brain injury risks for kids. More specifically, a majority of children who sustain traumatic brain injuries in sports- or recreation-related activities sustain those injuries while playing football or soccer.

CDC Study Discusses Dangers of Contact Sports for Kids

This information about the serious risks of both football and soccer for kids was published in a new study conducted by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). That study emphasized that contact sports are the most dangerous in terms of TBI risks, resulting in approximately 45% of all brain injuries that send kids to emergency departments every year. In general, football was the cause of the highest number of TBIs in male children, while soccer was the leading cause of brain injuries in female children. According to the report, “contact sports resulted in nearly twice as many TBI [emergency department] visits as did non-contact sports and four times those associated with recreation-related activities.”

In order to prevent a high number of TBIs in kids, the report recommended “limiting player-to-player contact” in addition to promoting “rule changes that reduce risk for collisions.” Yet other recreational activities can also pose serious risks of head trauma. For example, in addition to football and soccer, children also frequently suffer brain injuries from playground activities and bicycling.

Learning More About Recreation-Related Concussions in Children

The study analyzed data from the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System’s All Injury Program, which included information on hundreds of thousands of children. That data showed that, on average, “283,000 children under the age of 18 sought care in emergency departments each year for sports- and recreation-related traumatic brain injuries.” The highest number of reported injuries affected male children between the ages of 10 and 17.

The majority of all TBI reports among children were for concussions. In some cases, however, the head injuries were severe, resulting in cognitive damage and long-term effects. To reduce the risk of a head injury, in addition to paying attention to preventative measures for contact sports, parents should take steps to avoid fall-related injuries. Playgrounds in particular can result in falls from heights, which frequently lead to head trauma and internal injuries.

When a child does suffer a fall or sustain a blow to the head, parents should be aware of the following signs of a child concussion reported by KidsHealth:

• Dizziness;
• Memory loss, or any trouble remembering recent events;
• Nausea;
• Vomiting;
• Headache;
• Blurry vision;
• Light sensitivity;
• Balance problems;
• Concentration or thinking problems;
• Anxiety; and
• Irritability.

Contact an Escondido Brain Injury Attorney

Brain injuries can affect children and adults alike when another party is negligent. If you or someone you love suffered a TBI, you should discuss your options with an Escondido brain injury attorney. A personal injury lawyer at our firm can speak with you today. Contact the Walton Law Firm for more information.

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