Kids and Sports Concussions: Things to Know

We all know that a concussion can be serious, but many of us don’t know its symptoms. Do you know what to do if your child gets one?

Young children, teenagers and young adults have a higher risk because their brains are still developing. Here are some key things you should know to help keep your kids safe.

The Facts

The Centers of Disease Control and Prevention reveals 2.3 million children and teens 17 and younger were diagnosed with concussions — or traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) — in 2022.

A TBI happens when a fall or blow to the head causes the brain to quickly shift back and forth. This jostling can damage the brain.

Football, bicycling and basketball are the top three activities that see the most TBIs in children and teens. Still, concussions don’t just happen on sport fields. Even children younger than 10 can suffer a concussion just horsing around on the playground.

Signs and Symptoms

Most people think a loss of consciousness is the tell-tale sign of a concussion. Not all people with a concussion lose consciousness, though. Other signs of TBI may be missed.

Watch for these subtle signs of a concussion:

• Can’t recall events before or after a fall
• Seems dazed, confused, stunned
• Moves clumsily
• Answers questions slowly
• Mood, behavior, personality changes

Some symptoms may not show up for a few hours or even days after a head injury. Seek medical care right away if your child experiences:

• Headache, pressure in the head
• Nausea, vomiting
• Dizziness, blurry, double vision
• Sensitivity to light or noise
• Confusion, unable to concentrate
• Memory problems
• Weakness or numbness in any part of the body

Bench Your Kids During Recovery

Kids recover from concussions slower than adults. A child or teen who returns to the game while still having symptoms is at risk for serious, permanent brain damage. It’s crucial that kids be symptom-free and cleared by a doctor before restarting any activity.

After a concussion, rest helps the brain heal. Check with your doctor to learn how long your child should rest. Find out when they can ease back into sports and activities — and when they can play full throttle. It’s likely your child will need to sit out practices, games and exercise for a bit. He or she may also need to ease back into school. See if they can have extra time with tests and schoolwork.

Help Lower Their Risks

There is no sure-fire way to prevent a concussion. Still, there are steps you can take to lower your child’s risk.

• Educate yourself and your child about symptoms
• Encourage your child to tell you about head injury or trauma right away
• Ensure your child wears a helmet when riding a bicycle
• Outfit your child with the proper helmet and gear for any contact sport
• Know all team and league concussion and safe-play rules
• Remind your child it’s better to sit out a short while recovering than miss the entire season — or worse — due to an early return

Of course, protection is not only about having a helmet. It’s about finding the right kind of helmet, making sure it fits properly and wearing it. The CDC offers helpful information.

Has your child ever had a concussion? How did you help them heal?

Sources: Percentage of Children and Adolescents Aged ≤17 Years Who Received a Diagnosis of Concussion or Brain Injury, by Sex and Age Group — National Health Interview Survey,  United States, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2023; Signs and Symptoms of Concussion,  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2024

Originally published 8/13/2015; Revised 2023, 2024