Facts about children and concussion   

• There are more than 35, 000 pediatric (children and adolescents under the age of 18) visits for concussion in Ontario every year.
• For the majority of children and adolescents,  concussion symptoms will resolve in the first 1-4 weeks.
• After a brief period of rest (24-48 hours), most children and adolescents are encouraged to resume a graduated return to school and low-risk physical activities, as can be tolerated and in consultation with a health professional.
• Injury during sports and recreational activities are the most frequent cause of concussion in children and adolescents.
• Injuries to children and adolescents lead to a loss of work-time for parents and caregivers.

Why a living guideline?

Quotations from project leads

 "Children, adolescents and their families are seeking care for concussion at higher rates than ever before.  In order to meet their needs, health-care professionals require a trustworthy, evidence-based and easy to use way to know how to best support their patients.  This guideline is a ‘one stop shop’ for health care professionals to provide the right care, in the right way and at the right time when diagnosing and managing concussion in children and adolescents".
Dr. Nick Reed - Associate Professor, Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, University of Toronto | Adjunct Scientist, Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital

"Every month we learn more about how to better treat children and youth with concussion due to ground-breaking clinical research, much of which is being led out of Canada.  Prior recommendations used to demand that children simply rest, which was often misinterpreted as home jail.  We now know that to improve recovery, it is important that children remain physically active and engaged in school as they recover from concussion, while ensuring their activities remain as safe as possible."
Dr. Roger Zemek - Senior Scientist, CHEO Research Institute | Emergency physician, CHEO | Professor, University of Ottawa

"ONF has been happy to facilitate the development of this evidence-based Guideline as the funder. There was a real need for a pediatric-focused guideline that is based on research. We look forward to supporting the implementation of the guideline recommendations across the province and further, working with our national and international partners. The first edition has been widely referenced throughout the world; we are pleased to be a leader in the development of clinical-practice guidelines and hope this “living format” has an even broader reach to improve the quality of pediatric concussion care."
Judy Gargaro - Program Director, Acquired brain injury

About the Ontario Neurotrauma Foundation

The Ontario Neurotrauma Foundation (ONF) is a non-profit organization funded by the Ontario government that works to prevent neurotrauma and ensure Ontarians with spinal cord and brain injuries lead full, productive lives. ONF is the leader in moving research to evidence-informed health practices that improve the quality of life and health outcomes. Through collaborations and partnerships ONF connects healthcare practitioners, researchers, policymakers and stakeholders including those living with neurotrauma to the information they need to make positive changes in health practices, outcomes and policies.

About CHEO

About Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital