Source: Caring for Your Teenager (© 2003 American Academy of Pediatrics)
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Grade 1 |
Grade 2 |
Grade 3 |
| Symptoms |
- Temporary confusion
- No loss of consciousness
- Concussion symptoms resolve and/or mental state returns to normal within 15 minutes
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- Temporary confusion
- No loss of consciousness
- Concussion symptoms and/or altered mental state persist for more than 15 minutes
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- Loss of consciousness for any length of time
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| Immediate Precautions |
- The young athlete should go to the sidelines and be evaluated immediately and at 5-minute intervals by a coach, trainer or others experienced in handling head injuries.
- After 15 minutes with no improvement, the yound athlete should be kept from returning to the game.
- The young athlete should see a physician the next day or that day if symptoms persist.
- In order to be cleared to return to play, the young athlete sould undergo a neurologic exam q full week after the symptoms subside.
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- Call the local emergency medical service immediately.
- The young athlete should be taken by ambulance to the nearest hospital emergency department for a thorough neurologic examination.
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| Return to Action |
- Minimum of 15 minutes. Most experts feel a child should not return to play on the same day if he has any level of concussion, including grade 1.
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- 1 week, with physician's clearance
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- 2 weeks, with physician's clearance
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If multiple grade 1 concussions are experienced or this
is not the young athlete's first grade 2 or 3: |
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- 1 week, with physician's clearance
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- 2 weeks, with physician's clearance
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- 1 month or longer, as determined by the evaluating physician
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