Risks of traumatic brain injuries of kids playing sports – Missourinet

Report on Traumatic Brain Injury in Youth Athletics and Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

Introduction: Promoting Health and Well-being in Sports

The commencement of seasonal sports, including soccer and football, elevates the risk of traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) among participants. Addressing this public health concern is critical to advancing Sustainable Development Goal 3 (SDG 3), which aims to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages. Proactive injury management and prevention strategies are essential to safeguard the long-term health of athletes.

Immediate Injury Management Protocol and SDG 3

According to Dr. Carolyn Quinsey, a pediatric neurosurgeon with MU Health Care, the primary response to a suspected brain injury is fundamental to upholding the principles of SDG 3. The immediate protocol focuses on preventing further harm and ensuring a safe environment for recovery.

• Immediate Removal from Play: The most critical action is to remove the athlete from the sporting activity immediately.
• Professional Assessment: The individual must be assessed to determine the extent of the injury and ensure their cognitive functions are not compromised.
• Prevention of Secondary Injury: Returning an injured athlete to play puts them at significant risk for a second, more severe injury, directly contravening the objective of ensuring good health.

Concussion Symptoms and Recovery: A Focus on Individualized Care

The management of concussions requires a nuanced approach that aligns with the SDG 3 target of promoting well-being. Dr. Quinsey notes that no two concussions are identical, necessitating personalized recovery plans.

Key Considerations for Recovery

1. Delayed Onset of Symptoms: Athletes and guardians must be aware that symptoms such as headaches, blurred vision, and balance issues may not be immediate.
2. Symptom-Free Return: A core guideline is that no athlete should resume full physical or mental activities, including schoolwork and sports, while still experiencing symptoms.
3. Risks of Premature Return: Returning to play prematurely after an initial TBI can lead to severe and lasting consequences if a second injury occurs.

Long-Term Impacts on Health, Education, and Equality

Failure to properly manage a TBI has profound implications that extend beyond the immediate injury, affecting multiple Sustainable Development Goals.

• SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being): A secondary brain injury can result in permanent dysfunction and lifelong deficits, undermining the goal of healthy lives. Prioritizing complete healing over immediate participation is crucial for long-term well-being.
• SDG 4 (Quality Education): A significant risk associated with repeated brain injuries is permanent cognitive deficit, including a lower IQ. This directly threatens an individual’s ability to achieve a quality education and reach their full intellectual potential.

Ensuring that every athlete is fully healed before returning to their sport is a critical investment in their future health and educational attainment, reinforcing the interconnectedness of the SDGs.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

  This is the most prominent SDG in the article. The entire text focuses on the health risks associated with traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) from sports, the symptoms (headaches, blurred vision), and the critical importance of proper management to prevent long-term health consequences like “permanent cognitive deficit” or “permanent dysfunction.” The advice from Dr. Carolyn Quinsey directly promotes the health and well-being of young athletes.

• SDG 4: Quality Education

  This goal is indirectly connected. The article warns that a second brain injury after an initial concussion “can lead to permanent cognitive deficit or a lower IQ.” These outcomes directly threaten a child’s ability to learn, participate in school, and achieve their educational potential. By advocating for measures that protect brain health, the article supports the creation of conditions necessary for a quality education.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. Target 3.4: Reduce by one-third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being.

   The article directly addresses this target by focusing on the prevention of long-term, non-communicable conditions. The “permanent cognitive deficit” and “permanent dysfunction” mentioned are chronic health issues. The core message—to “remove them from play” and wait until they are “completely healed up”—is a preventative strategy to promote long-term health and well-being and avoid lifelong deficits.

2. Target 3.d: Strengthen the capacity of all countries… for early warning, risk reduction and management of national and global health risks.

   The article itself serves as a tool for risk reduction and management. By publicizing the advice of a pediatric neurosurgeon, it raises awareness and provides clear instructions (“remove them from play”) on how to manage the health risk of concussions in youth sports. This dissemination of expert knowledge strengthens the community’s capacity to handle these specific health risks effectively.

3. Target 4.a: Build and upgrade education facilities that are child, disability and gender sensitive and provide safe, non-violent, inclusive and effective learning environments for all.

   While sports fields are not traditional education facilities, they are environments where children learn and develop. This target’s emphasis on “safe… and effective learning environments” is relevant. The article’s guidance aims to make these sporting environments safer. Preventing injuries that lead to a “lower IQ” or “cognitive deficit” is essential to ensuring that the individual child can continue to benefit from an “effective learning environment” in school.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

1. Implied Indicator for Target 3.4: Incidence of long-term deficits from sports-related injuries.

   The article’s goal is to prevent a sports injury from turning “into a lifelong deficit.” Progress towards this target could be measured by tracking the rate of athletes who develop “permanent cognitive deficit” or “permanent dysfunction” following sports-related concussions. A reduction in this rate would indicate successful prevention and management.

2. Implied Indicator for Target 3.d: Implementation of safety protocols in youth sports.

   The article advocates for a specific action: “remove them from play.” An indicator of progress would be the adoption and enforcement of concussion protocols in youth sports leagues (e.g., soccer, football). Measuring the percentage of leagues or teams with a formal “remove from play” policy would gauge the successful management of this health risk.

3. Implied Indicator for Target 4.a: Impact of sports-related injuries on academic participation and performance.

   The article links brain injuries to a “lower IQ,” which directly impacts education. Progress could be measured by tracking metrics such as the number of school days missed by students due to concussions or analyzing academic performance pre- and post-injury. A reduction in missed school days or a stable academic performance would suggest a safer environment that supports educational goals.

4. Summary Table of Findings

Source: missourinet.com