Concussions resulting from assaults and sports may not be entirely similar in children and youth, researchers report. For example, more than twice as many children who experience assault-related concussions report declines in school grades compared with those with sports-related concussions.

The researchers also saw trends suggesting there are clinically meaningful differences between the groups in terms of longer periods before return to school, symptom resolution, and full physician clearance after injury. Patients with assault-related concussion were also less likely to be referred to specialists and to receive initial visio-vestibular testing.

Dr Margaret Means

The research, conducted over a 2-year period with 124 children and adolescents aged 8 to 18 years, stands out by focusing on lesser-understood outcomes of concussions related to assault, said study author Margaret Means, MD, of Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, in Pennsylvania.

“From my standpoint as a pediatrician and training to be a pediatric neurologist, I want