Parents need to know concussion risks when allowing kids to play sports
Aug 31, 2016, 9:27 AM
PHOENIX — You need to be informed if your kid plays football. Or really any other sport, for that matter.
“There are risks with most sports that children play in,” Dr. Reena Rastogi, a concussion specialist at Phoenix Children’s Hospital, said.
Rastogi said it’s important that parents get to know what a head injury can look like.
“Knowing the risks, knowing what the signs and symptoms are of a concussion, and head injury,” she said. “And understanding what the potential outcomes of that could be.”
At the high school level, football has the highest rate of concussion, she said. That was followed by boy’s hockey, girl’s lacrosse and girl’s soccer.
Most importantly for parents, when the child is playing or even during practice, pay attention.
“That they are aware if these symptoms occur, and that they pull themselves out the game and report the symptoms to someone,” she said.