Researchers Even minor head injuries in children can lead to early death

Even slight concussions in childhood have serious long-term consequences
Children are usually not very careful. For this reason, for example, falls can often lead to minor injuries to the head. Researchers have now found that even a single slight shock to the head can have devastating consequences. Even a slight concussion in childhood can reduce school performance. It also increases the likelihood of mental illness and even premature death is possible.

Scientists from the internationally recognized Oxford University have now found in an investigation that even mild brain injuries can cause long-term problems. Shocking of the head in childhood increases the likelihood of mental illness and premature death. The experts published the results of their study in the journal "PLOS one".

Especially in children, concussions and head injuries are particularly common. Researchers have now discovered that such injuries can have serious long-term consequences. (Image: jörn buchheim / fotolia.com)

Even slight concussions can have serious long-term consequences
One finding from the new study is that not only serious brain injuries can cause serious health problems, the researchers explain. Doctors should be aware of this fact. Even slight concussions can have long-term consequences.

Certain sports are at increased risk
The result makes it clear that changes in the design of playgrounds may be appropriate. In addition, there should be stricter rules for certain sports where more frequent collisions occur between participants, the scientists suggest. Football also belongs to these sports. Physicians have already warned of this danger for a concussion. Clashes during sports should be investigated to avoid later long-term damage.

About ten percent of the children suffer at least one head injury
The study focused on so-called craniocerebral injury. In addition, the effects of blows on the head were examined, which are strong enough to trigger dizziness and dizziness. In the UK alone, about ten percent of children experience such a childhood injury, the researchers speculate.

Researchers are studying the data of more than one million subjects
For their study, the researchers analyzed the data of more than one million Swedish subjects. The participants were all born between 1973 and 1985, the scientists say. It was found that about 9.1 percent of the subjects suffered a traumatic brain injury before their 25th birthday. Some of the blows to the head were so severe that the affected patients had to spend months in the intensive care unit. However, most of the injuries were mild concussions, researchers say.

People with traumatic concussion often leave school without graduations
Survivors of traumatic concussion left school 58 percent more frequently without a degree compared to those without a head injury. In addition, her chances of receiving hospital treatment for psychiatric problems were almost twice as high. The risk of dying before the age of 41 was even increased by 72 percent, say the authors. Multiple concussion increased the risk even further. A traumatic concussion was more dangerous in later years as a teenager than at a younger age.

Warning sign for a traumatic brain injury
You should visit an emergency room if your child has these symptoms:

• One pupil is bigger than the other
• Constant drowsiness
• Increasing headache
• General weakness, deafness and diminished coordination
• Repeated vomiting or nausea
• Convulsions or seizures (tremors or twitching)
• Unusual behavior, restlessness or excitement
• Loss of consciousness

Better prevention demanded
The solution to the problem is prevention. Of course, therefore, we should not now lead a completely risk-free and overcautious life and neglect sports and exercise. Lack of activity can also have a negative impact on our future health, the experts explain. Therefore, we should not generally prohibit all sports with body contact. We need to make sure that rules are better followed. For example, more than 20 percent of the concussions in rugby caused by a rule violation, the researchers add.

Slight brain damage must be detected faster
The results should be taken as a clear warning that brain damage can lead to physical and psychosocial effects for the rest of life. It is important to generally gain a better understanding of the effects of traumatic concussion. Only in this way can problems be recognized at the earliest possible stage, which can prevent long-term effects, experts say.

Unfortunately, there is often insufficient treatment for concussion. Doctors are just developing a blood test that shows concussions. This could help in the future, that concussions are recognized earlier and treated more effectively. (As)