STEP 2: Concussion Live Course - November 5-6, 2024, in San Diego, CA-Case Discussion: Risk Factors of Special Populations (Pediatrics)

Pdf Summary

The document outlines a pediatric concussion case study involving a 10-year-old male who sustained a concussion during a football game and continues to suffer from intractable headaches four weeks post-injury. The case highlights risk factors from the patient's medical and social history, such as two prior concussions, ADHD, depression, anxiety, and a family history of migraines. Additionally, the child's social setting includes divorced parents and high expectations from his father to play football, further complicating his recovery. <br /><br />The case emphasizes the importance of comprehensive assessment and treatment, incorporating input from the patient, family, and school. Pediatric considerations include using age-appropriate post-concussion symptom scales and cognitive and balance assessments. The clinical approach advocates addressing concussion diagnosis and management in a multifaceted manner, involving effective communication and collaboration among all parties, including the healthcare provider, patient, parents, and school representatives. <br /><br />The focus is on creating a supportive environment, ensuring the child can return to school with necessary modifications, and laying out a clearly documented treatment and return-to-play plan. The document emphasizes education on concussion risks, restarting ADHD medication, monitoring for headaches and mood disorders, and potentially involving family therapy and neuropsychological evaluation for prolonged symptoms. It also discusses the need to educate the patient's family, particularly the father, on modern concussion understanding and management.<br /><br />Future visits are expected to involve ongoing education, feedback from all involved parties, and further assessments as needed, with an emphasis on recovery and preventing future complications.

Asset Subtitle

Stephanie Tow, MD

Keywords

pediatric concussion

case study

intractable headaches

risk factors

ADHD

family history

supportive environment

treatment plan

neuropsychological evaluation

education