UCSF Pediatric Concussion Tip Sheet for Clinicians

  1. Referral resources

    Pediatric Orthopedics sports concussion program
  • Within 6 weeks of injury
  • Exclusion: abnormal scan, younger than 8yo
  • West Bay clinic will only see sports-related injuries
  • Locations: Mission Bay (415-353-1915), Oakland (855-722-8273), Walnut Creek (925-979-3430)

    Pediatric Neurology
  • Typically manages sequelae persisting longer than 6 weeks
  • General neurology
  • Pediatric Neurorecovery – additional brain injury training, knowledge of local supports
  • Pediatric Brain Center: (855) 722-8273. Locations: Mission Bay, Marin, Oakland, Walnut Creek, Brentwood
  1. Encourage active recovery (Consensus statement on concussion in sport: the 6th International Conference on Concussion in Sport–Amsterdam, October 2022)

Self-guided resources:

  1. Should they return to sports? Different risk levels by sport and gender. Higher-risk activities include football, soccer, and horseback riding. Review the pros and cons. 3x increased risk of concussion after first concussion (van Ierssel J et al., Br J Sports Med. 2021).
  2. Retirement from sport: recommended by experts if there are structural imaging findings from the concussion or TBI-related cognitive impairment. Discuss risks and benefits with patient and family. (Davis-Hayes, et al., Neurology 2018).
    https://www.neurology.org/doi/10.1212/CPJ.0000000000000424