health
Traumatic brain injuries becoming more common in youths
NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted Oct. 24, 2011
Emergency department visits for traumatic brain injuries, including concussions, among children and adolescents increased 60% during the last decade, according to a report in the Oct. 7 issue of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
Researchers examined data from the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System-All Injury Program for 2001 through 2009. They found there were 248,418 traumatic brain injury-related ED visits in 2009, up from 153,375 visits in 2001. The highest rates occurred in males age 10 to 19 (link).
The primary sports involved with the injury were basketball, bicycling, football, soccer and playground activities.
Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2011/10/24/hlbf1024.htm.
