(AP) -- Emergency room visits for teen athletes with concussions have tripled in recent years in a trend that doctors are calling disturbing.
The findings come in a study of 10 years of national data. Experts say increasing awareness of head injuries is one reason ER concussion reports are up. But the increasing intensity of kids' sports probably plays a role, too.
The study was published online Monday in the journal Pediatrics. The authors say kids who suffer a head injury should get medical attention and never return to play until all symptoms, such as headache and trouble concentrating, are gone.
Online:
Pediatrics: http://www.pediatrics.com
American Academy of Pediatrics: http://www.aap.org
CDC: http://www.cdc.gov/concussion/HeadsUp/youth.html
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