A new study has found that children who have attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) seem to suffer more brain damage following concussions, according to Time.com.
http://healthland.time.com/2013/06/25/concussions-may-cause-more-brain-damage-in-kids-with-adhd/
In the wake of research exploring the long-term impact of concussions on kids, doctors at the Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh decided to test how youngsters with ADHD are impacted by the kind of concussions that can happen during sports such as football.
Prior research has already determined that children with ADHD may be prone to traumatic brain injury (TBI), Time.com reported. In Pittsburgh for the new study, doctors tested kids — with and without ADHD — who were admitted for concussions from 2003 to 2010.
In the trial, researchers found that roughly 25 percent of patients in the study with ADHD had what was called “moderate disability” after their mild brain injury, according to Time.com, meaning they needed some help with behavioral and physical problems. And 56 percent of these ADHD patients had a good post-concussion recovery, with normal readings following brain scans.
In contrast, 98 percent of the children without ADHD “reverted to their initial cognitive function scores after brief drops following the trauma and 84 percent had recovered completely,” Time.com said.
The researchers in Pittsburgh had some theories about why ADHD kids sustained more “disabilities” for their brain injury. First, these children may have already had cognitive problems that had been exacerbated over time, Time.com reported.
Second, ADHD may hinder the healing process after a concussion.
Here’s the takeaway: Parents of children with ADHD should diligently guard the, against brain injury, by making sure they wear helmets while bicycling, for example.
Print Friendly Version
Save Page as PDF
