The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that the number of sports-related child injuries involving concussions and brain trauma grew by 57 percent during the last ten years. The study measured "nonfatal traumatic brain injuries related to sports and recreation activities" involving individuals 19 years of age and younger between 2001 and 2009.

The CDC estimates the cost of traumatic brain injury at $48.3 billion in the United States. Most injuries involved cycling, football, basketball, soccer and playground activities.

The director of the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control opined that the increased injury report rate results from a combination of increasing participation in sports and an increased awareness of how important it is to recognize and treat TBI early. She cited the "growing awareness among parents and coaches, and the public as a whole, about the need for individuals with a suspected TBI to be seen by a health care professional."

While children's developing brains are thought to be more resilient than those of adults, they are also more likely to be harmed by the chemical changes that take place after a traumatic brain injury occurs. Indeed, children who experience TBI take longer to recover than adults, and they risk more serious long-term outcomes than adults.

Initially, the symptoms of TBI may seem mild. However, unless injuries to children are accurately diagnosed and promptly treated, TBIs can lead to permanent damage and impairment that can affect a child's memory and behavior. Learning disabilities and emotional disorders can also result from TBIs.

Source: Healthcare Finance News, "CDC reports big increase in traumatic brain injuries among youth athletes," Rene Letourneau, Oct. 12, 2011