Childhood concussion linked to lifelong health and social problems...

https://www.theguardian.com/science/2016/aug/23/childhood-con...

Childhood concussion linked to lifelong

health and social problems
Study suggests that even mild childhood head injuries can increase the risk of low
educational attainment, psychiatric hospitalisation and early death
Nicola Davis
Tuesday 23 August 2016 19.50BST

Children who suer a traumatic brain injury, including mild concussion from a blow to
the head, are less likely to do well at school and are at increased risk of early death,
researchers have revealed.
As adults they are also more likely to receive a disability pension, have failed to gain
secondary school qualications and nearly twice as likely to have been hospitalised for
psychiatric reasons.
The team analysed data from more than a million people born between 1973 and 1985,
nding that around 9% had been diagnosed with at least one traumatic brain injury
before the age of 25. More than 75% of these were mild injuries.
The researchers compared the outcomes for these individuals with those of others who
had not experienced a head injury, as well as carrying out a second comparison, where
possible, with siblings who had not been injured.
Once factors such as age and sex were taken into account, the team found that those
diagnosed with a traumatic brain injury have an increased risk of experiencing a number
of health and social problems. Those who had suered a traumatic brain injury were
76% more likely to receive a disability pension, 58% more likely to have failed to gain
secondary school qualications and nearly twice as likely to have been hospitalised for
psychiatric reasons, compared to those who had sustained no injury.
When the researchers looked at patients who had siblings that had not sustained a
traumatic brain injury, they found similar - although smaller - eects, suggesting that
genetics could also play a role.
The study also indicates that more than one brain injury increases the risk of ill eects
and that the older the child, the more profound the potential impact.
Writing in the journal PLOS Medicine, researchers from the UK, US and Sweden describe
how they examined a number of Swedish national registries to explore how traumatic
brain injuries could aect a variety of outcomes later in life.
To summarise, we found that even a single mild traumatic brain injury will predict poor
adult functioning, said Amir Sariaslan, rst author of the research from the University

1 of 3

23/08/2016, 22:26

Childhood concussion linked to lifelong health and social problems...

https://www.theguardian.com/science/2016/aug/23/childhood-con...

of Oxford.
Peter Jenkins, a neurologist from Imperial College, London who was not involved in the
research, described the study as powerful. I think clinically in healthcare at the
moment we dont necessarily recognise these persistent problems [and] we dont
necessarily have the resources available to help deal with those problems, he said.
The study comes just ve months after UK health experts called for a ban on tackling in
school rugby games, citing a number of concerns including the risk of fractures and head
injuries.
But experts are quick to warn that the new study does not mean that parents should
prevent their children from taking part in sports. What we also know is that across a
range of health-related conditions sport is very good for you, said Alan Carson from the
Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences at the University of Edinburgh, who was not involved
in the study. He added that exercise is also good for the brain as it thought to reduce the
risk of dementia.
The researchers say more should be done to prevent children and adolescents from
experiencing head injuries, and to make sure that any problems arising from such an
injury are picked up early on.
[Design of] playgrounds, helmets, the use of helmets, even certain rules in certain
collision sports may need to be thought about, said Seena Fazel, co-author of the
research from the University of Oxford. With many head injuries in young adults down
to trac accidents, messages around road safety and drink driving are also important, he
added.
Researchers say that parents should seek medical advice if their child has received a
blow to the head, or appears to be having problems at school following an injury. There
is some vigilance required when the injury is severe, or there are changes to the
trajectory of your child, said Fazel.
While it is not known exactly how traumatic brain injuries aect later outcomes,
scientists have proposed a number of possible mechanisms, including damage to the
brains neurons, changes to levels of chemicals in the brain and long-term inammation
of the brain. Other eects, such as interruptions in a childs education due their need to
take time o from school, could also play a role.
But, the researchers point out, while traumatic brain injuries appear to be linked to a
increased risk of a number of problems, the chances of experiencing such issues are still
low. Most children will be unaected, said Fazel.
For those who had not experienced a traumatic brain injury, the chances of an early
death were just under 1%, while the chances of failing to achieve secondary school
education was 9%. For those who had sustained an injury the gures were 1.6% and
almost 14% respectively.
Peter McCabe, chief executive of brain injury charity Headway, said: This research is a
clear warning signal that the physical and psychosocial implications of brain injury can
last a lifetime.

2 of 3

23/08/2016, 22:26

Childhood concussion linked to lifelong health and social problems...

https://www.theguardian.com/science/2016/aug/23/childhood-con...

McCabe says more support needs to be in place for those who have sustained traumatic
brain injuries, and that teachers, social workers and GPs should all be aware of the
possible eects.
The often hidden eects of brain injury can make it dicult for people to get the
diagnosis and help they need, he said. This is particularly the case in young people
whose naturally developing personalities may mask any psychosocial changes following
a traumatic brain injury.

Sign up to Lab notes

Get a weekly round-up of the biggest stories
in science, insider knowledge from our
network of bloggers, and a healthy dose of
fun.

More news

Topics
Neuroscience Concussion in sport Health
Save for later Article saved
Reuse this content

3 of 3

23/08/2016, 22:26