Postconcussion Syndrome Occurs in Children

The consensus of evidence published since 1924 suggests that parents report attention deficits, hyperactivity, or conduct disorder after pediatric head injury rather than postconcussion syndrome. In this study, the symptoms reported by children after mild ( n = 38) and moderate-severe ( n = 27) head trauma were compared to those reported after orthopedic injury ( n = 47) and to adults matched for injury severity and chronicity by using a structured interview based on diagnostic criteria for postconcussion syndrome. Pediatric head trauma caused significantly more subjective symptoms after 6 weeks than orthopedic injury. These symptoms were related to head injury severity and the child's anxiety level. When assessed in a similar manner, children report postconcussion syndrome similar to that seen in adults.