Hanson et al. in the latest issue of Pediatrics reviewed data from 2002-2011 and noted that there has been a 92% increase in Sports related head injuries. 3/4 of these patients are male. Though the overall numbers of visits have increased the injury severity (mean ISS 7.8 to 4.8 – β = –0.46; P = .006), and percentage of admissions (χ2 = 9.8, df = 9, P= .37) has not.
Why is this important? Well, it reports on what many of us have been seeing clinically. Additionally, it likely reflects increased public awareness of TBI in Sports. Will this trend continue? It is uncertain, but be prepared to discuss it with your colleagues and patients, as this excellent review has hit the mainstream press – ABC and CBS.
