Three pediatric sports medicine leaders from CHOP share perspectives about how youth athletes have changed, how the field has evolved, and predictions for the future.

Patients who are non-Hispanic Black, possess public insurance, and have lower markers of childhood opportunity were more likely to be seen first for a concussion in the emergency department, potentially impacting follow-up care

Facemasks accounted for over half of the top 10% of head impacts experienced by players in the study, highlighting the importance of prioritizing new helmet designs

Children between 5 and 12 are more likely to experience worse symptoms and delays in specialist care if injured during recreation or other non-sport activities.

Pilot study reveals early evidence of efficacy of a pharmacologic treatment for concussion, as patients experienced faster symptom reduction and return to physical activity

Pre-existing mental health diagnoses associated with longer recovery times and greater emotional burden after concussion, affecting boys with prolonged recovery at a higher rate than girls.

Protecting teens’ brains while they play competitive sports.

Female athletes also had more severe symptoms associated with these injuries.

While a small number of relatively low impact soccer headers did not have detrimental effects, teen soccer players should still be trained to head the ball safely

Researchers from Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) found disparities in the completion of follow-up concussion care which will help inform future research at CHOP funded by a CDC grant that specifically aims to address such disparities.