How many are due to second impact syndrome is unknown. Grade I concussion is injury with only mental confusion of less than 15 minutes. The patient should be removed from sports activity until asymptomatic for one week. Grade II also shows no loss of consciousness but confusion lasting more than 15 minutes needs more extensive work-up and no return to sports till free of all trouble for one week. Any abnormality on CT or MRI means removal from sports activity for the season or no further participation in contact sports.
More damage can be catastrophic or fatal.
Show this column to your kids coach. The moral is don't bang your head more than once. All rights reserved.