Predicting Concussion Recovery in Children and Adolescents in the Emergency Department

AbstractPurpose of ReviewConcussion, or mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI), represents the majority of pediatric Emergency Department (ED) presentations of TBI. While most children and adolescents will recover within 4  weeks of injury, approximately one third will continue to experience persisting symptoms. This review aimed to provide an overview of literature from the past 5 years examining predictors of recovery in the ED.Recent FindingsPredictors could be characterized into three categories; (i) cognition, (ii) proteomics, and (iii) pre-injury/injury-related factors. There is preliminary support for the use of computerized neuropsychological testing. The prognostic use of proteomics is a promising area of future research. Pre-injury and injury-related characteristics have been thoroughly examined and developed into a clinical risk score for predicting delayed recovery.SummarySubstantial progress has been made in identifying risk factors for delayed recovery at ED presentation. The current evidence provides a platform for additional research that can refine and validate these predictors.
Source: Current Neurology and Neuroscience Reports - Category: Neuroscience Source Type: research