Concussion symptoms in kids

Concussion symptoms in kids are the same as for older children and adults. However, very young children are often unable to name or talk about their symptoms in the same way an older child or adult can. Therefore, it is important to watch your child carefully after an injury to look for signs and symptoms of a concussion. If your child shows any symptoms of a possible concussion after a hit to the head or blow to the body, it is crucial to remove them from play immediately. Furthermore, they should not return to play until they have been evaluated and cleared by a trained healthcare provider. 

Most children recover from concussions relatively quickly. However, in some cases recovery can be much slower. Many people wrongly assume that a child must be “knocked out” or lose consciousness in order to sustain a concussion. In fact, only 10% of kids with concussions are “knocked out.” Therefore, this should not be relied on as an indicator of whether a child did or did not sustain a concussion. 

Since young children and babies are not able to communicate their symptoms in the same way an adult or older child can, it is important that an adult watch for signs that indicate a possible concussion. If your child does not appear to be improving after a hit to the head, you should call your doctor or seek medical care. 

“Concussions can be serious injuries if not treated properly. Symptoms can affect players in all areas of their lives including their physical, emotional, and cognitive functioning. Swift and appropriate evaluation by trained sports medicine professionals is crucial before an athlete returns to play. That is why we counsel students and coaches to err on the side of caution and ‘when in doubt, sit out.’” 

—Ruben Echemendia, PhD, NAN past president and director of the NHL’s Neuropsychological Testing Program 

Symptoms in kids

• Excessive crying and/or cannot be consoled 

• Headache that does not go away 

• Change in the way that they play or act 

• Change in eating, sleeping, or nursing pattern 

• Becomes upset more easily than normal or abnormal temper tantrums 

• Appears sad or depressed 

• Lack of interest in normal activities 

• Appears unsteady or loses balance easily 

If your child experiences any of the following RED FLAG symptoms, you should call your doctor or go to the emergency department IMMEDIATLEY.

• Headache that progressively worsens 

• Seizure 

• Slurred or “drunken” speech 

• Increasing confusion 

• Repeated vomiting 

• Unequal pupils 

• Can’t recognize people or places 

• Looks very drowsy, or can’t be awakened 

• Weakness or numbness in arms or legs 

• Unusual behavior 

• Increasing irritability 

• Loses consciousness 

Symptoms of concussion 

When thinking about symptoms of concussion, it is helpful to divide them into two categories – symptoms reported by the injured person, and those observed by parents, teammates, or coaches. Importantly, the injured person is often not aware of the symptoms that others can see. In addition, while symptoms usually show up immediately, sometimes they can take a few hours or days to fully appear and develop.

Reported symptoms

• Headache or feeling of pressure in the head 

• Nausea or vomiting 

• Dizziness or trouble keeping your balance 

• Double or blurry vision 

• Sensitivity to light or noise 

• Feeling slowed down 

• Confusion or difficulty concentrating or remembering things 

Observed symptoms

• Can’t recall events just before or after the incident 

• Appears dazed or stunned 

• Appears confused or forgetful 

• Moves clumsily 

• Responds slowly to questions 

• Gets knocked out or loses consciousness 

• Mood, behavior, or personality changes 

Remember, if you or your child experience any of the following RED FLAG symptoms, call your doctor or go to the emergency department IMMEDIATELY. 

• Headache that gets worse over time 

• Seizure 

• Slurred or “drunken” speech 

• Increasing confusion 

• Repeated vomiting 

• Unequal pupils 

• Can’t recognize people or places 

• Looks very drowsy, or can’t be awakened 

• Weakness or numbness in arms or legs 

• Unusual behavior 

• Increasing irritability 

• Loses consciousness 

It is important to note that the symptoms of concussion are generally the same for children and adults. However, very young children may not be able to report a symptom the same way an older child can. 

St. Charles Health System’s Trauma Program will honor and recognize former trauma patients Wednesday, May 21 at St. Charles Bend. The event will include a visit from therapy dogs, free barbecue lunch and the chance to connect with St. Charles caregivers, first responders and fellow medical trauma survivors.

“Every year this is an incredible event for our former patients and caregivers. It’s a chance to connect with one another in a meaningful and healing way,” said Jeremy Buller, Trauma Program Coordinator.

The event will take place from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the St. Charles Bend Conference Rooms A and B and the outside patio, weather permitting.

St. Charles Trauma and Emergency Services cared for more than 2,500 traumatically injured patients in 2024 – up about 200 patients over the previous year. Falls are the most common injury, followed by motor vehicle crashes, ATV/snowmobile/dirt bike crashes, motorcycle crashes and bike crashes.

Buller said that summer is referred to as trauma season by medical professionals because of an increase in these types of injuries.

“We are always here and ready to help, but we would also love to help our community members prevent a visit to the Emergency Department,” said Buller. “Have fun this summer, but please wear a helmet, don’t mix intoxicants with moving vehicles, don’t text and drive and talk to your primary care doctor about fall prevention.”

Grand Rounds - May 16, 2025
"GLP‐1s: Miracle Drugs or Hype. Understanding the Science and Therapeutic Indications Behind"

Speaker: Adrienne Youdim, M.D., FACP. Associate Clinical Professor of Medicine, UCLA; David Geffen School of Medicine, Cedars Sinai Medical Center.

Objectives

1. Understand the mechanisms of action behind GLP-1 and GLP1/GIP agonists.
2. Assess clinical indications whereby GLP-1 agonist have been shown to confer benefits in clinical trials.
3. Appreciate the importance of selecting the proper patient population for consideration of GLP-1 agonist therapy.
4. Monitoring the safety and efficacy of GLP-1 therapy.

Accreditation: St. Charles Health System is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians. St. Charles Health System designates this live activity for a maximum of 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)^TM.

The period to claim credit for this activity expires one year after its original publication. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Claim Credit

Target Audience: Physicians, Nurses, Pharmacists, Allied Health Professionals.

Accessibility/Program Questions: St. Charles Health System encourages persons with disabilities to participate in its programs and activities. If you anticipate needing any type of accommodation or have questions about the physical access provided, please contact Continuing Medical Education at [email protected].

Oher CME or Clerkship questions: also contact Continuing Medical Education at [email protected].

The St. Charles Blossom Project is a simple yet meaningful way to bring comfort, joy and beauty to hospice families in Central Oregon. A small act of kindness with a big impact: bringing flower donations to help brighten the days of hospice and palliative care patients during their end-of-life care.

The volunteer team creates nearly 325 bouquets each month, which are delivered to hospice families throughout Warm Springs, Madras, Redmond, Bend, Sisters, La Pine and Prineville. Deliveries take place six days a week, ensuring they always reach people when they need them the most.

“Hospice has a such a special place in my heart after having multiple of my own family members go through it,” said Lisa DeBraal, a volunteer for the St. Charles Blossom Project. “Volunteering is a meaningful way for me to give back to these patients and families as they go through a challenging time.  It’s so rewarding to see how much these flowers brighten their days.”

This program first began as the Bloom Project, a nonprofit organization that provided fresh floral arrangements to hospice and palliative care patients for over 13 years. When they closed their doors in December of 2019, a group of dedicated volunteers decided to carry on this mission through St. Charles Hospice. With a new name and the same compassionate spirit, they continue spreading kindness through flowers.

Today, the St. Charles Blossom Project continues to serve patients across Central Oregon. A team of 35 volunteers collect fresh flowers daily thanks to donations from Safeway, Trader Joe’s and Newport Market. These flowers are then repurposed into beautifully arranged bouquets by the hospice blossom volunteers.

The project also benefits local palliative care facilities like Aspen Ridge Memory Care in Bend, where residents use the flowers to create their own arrangements to display in their dining room.

“Our residents truly look forward to the weekly flower deliveries,” said Deena Newman, Life Enrichment Director at Aspen Ridge Memory Care. “It’s such a meaningful way to brighten our space and always brings a smile to their faces.”

If you recently hit your head, you might be wondering, “Do I have a concussion?” If you experience any of the signs and symptoms, or just don’t feel right after a hit to the head or body, you may have a concussion. 

It is important to seek medical attention if you think you or your child may have a concussion. 

The content on this site is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. 

Symptoms of concussions are classified into four different categories; physical, mental, emotional, and sleep. This means that there are many different ways that concussions can affect you. Therefore, it is important to know all of the possible symptoms. In fact, many people think that they don’t have a concussion because they weren’t knocked out, and don’t have a headache or dizziness. However, those are just a few of the many possible symptoms of concussions. The table on this page will help you understand the different symptoms by category.

If you observe any of the following, seek immediate medical attention!

If it’s possible you have a concussion, but you’re not sure, it is best to stop physical activity until you get evaluated by a competent healthcare professional. Sitting out for one practice or game to make sure that you are okay, is better than trying to push through a potential concussion and continue to play. Research shows that when you don’t report a possible concussion and continue to play sports, you may slow your recovery. Ultimately, you could end up sitting out much longer by not taking a break and reporting the injury immediately.

So, do I have a concussion?

As you can see, there are many possible symptoms that could be associated with concussions. Ultimately, it is best not to self-diagnose. Again, if you experience any of these symptoms, or just don’t feel right after a hit to the head, get medical care. Your athletic trainer or other healthcare professional will help ensure that you are okay and it is safe to resume sports or other physical activity. 

When dealing with a possible concussion, it is best to see a healthcare professional trained in the evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of concussions. You will receive a detailed evaluation, including a history of the incident and a review of your symptoms. In addition, they will assess your mental function and perform a complete neurological exam. This helps to determine whether or not you have a concussion. Next, you will get a recommend treatment program designed for the specific symptoms that you are experiencing. The goal is to give you the best environment to recover from your injury. 

Learn more about concussion testing and concussion protocol.

References 

Sports-Related Concussions in Youth: Improving the Science, Changing the Culture. Committee on Sports-Related Concussions in Youth; Board on Children, Youth, and Families; Institute of Medicine; National Research Council; Graham R, Rivara FP, Ford MA, et al., editors. Washington (DC): National Academies Press (US); 2014 Feb 4. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK185340/#__NBK185340_dtls__ 

A concussion is a mild traumatic brain injury, or mTBI. We no longer use the old grading system (grade I, II, or III) to identify types of concussion. The grading system used factors present at the time of injury, such as whether the individual lost consciousness or not. A concussion should never be minimized just because the individual did not lose consciousness. In fact, only about 10% of individuals lose consciousness when they sustain a concussion. All concussions are serious brain injuries and should be treated as such.

Understanding types of concussions

Generally, concussion diagnosis is simply yes or no, with no grading or degree. This is because no two concussions are the same and each individual experiences a concussion differently. In short, the number of symptoms, intensity of symptoms, and the time it takes to recover are what determine the severity of a concussion. In some situations, an individual with relatively mild symptoms may take a long time to recover. Conversely, an individual with severe symptoms may recover relatively quickly. For this reason, physicians often do not classify a concussion until after the individual has fully recovered.

Additionally, doctors consider how the concussion affects the individual’s ability to perform normal daily activities. If symptoms interfere with the ability to go to school or work, especially over an extended period of time, the injury may be considered severe. While most concussions resolve within a month, symptoms can last much longer for some people. This is sometimes referred to as post-concussion syndrome. Although not common, individuals who have a history of multiple concussions or have a repeat injury are at a greater risk of post-concussion syndrome.

Proper care for all types of concussions

Our concussion protocol reduces the risk of repeat concussions and Second Impact Syndrome. It accomplishes this by ensuring that athletes do not return to sports too soon following injury. Additionally, for those who are dealing with more significant injury, it includes steps to provide necessary treatment specific to the issues they are dealing with. Whether they need accommodations in the classroom, have symptoms of depression or other emotional disturbances, or physical issues such as balance, vision, or headaches, following our concussion protocol ensures that proper care is provided regardless of the type or severity of injury.

Get your child back in the game, safely

We are passionate about getting Central Oregon youth the care they need when they have experienced a concussion. To this end, we follow a research-based model of management in treating concussions. Like you, our focus is on getting your child healthy and safely returning them to the activity they love. 

Additionally, we strive to provide the most current concussion information on these pages. However, if you do not find what you are looking for here, please contact us. 

This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. 

Grand Rounds - May 9, 2025
"When False Beliefs Undermine Healthcare: Medical Mistrust, Disinformation, and Motivated Reasoning in 2025 and Beyond"

Speaker: Joseph M. Pierre, MD. Unit Chief, Langley Porter Psychiatric Hospital Inpatient Program; Health Sciences Clinical Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences Weill Institute for Neurosciences.

Objectives

1. Learners will be able to identify three widely held misbeliefs about medicine.
2. Learners will be able to describe how mistrust, misinformation, and motivated reasoning can explain false beliefs about medicine.
3. Learners will be able to integrate at least one key practice strategy to minimize the harmful effects of medical misbelief.

Accreditation: St. Charles Health System is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians. St. Charles Health System designates this live activity for a maximum of 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)^TM.

The period to claim credit for this activity expires one year after its original publication. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Claim Credit

Target Audience: Physicians, Nurses, Pharmacists, Allied Health Professionals.

Accessibility/Program Questions: St. Charles Health System encourages persons with disabilities to participate in its programs and activities. If you anticipate needing any type of accommodation or have questions about the physical access provided, please contact Continuing Medical Education at [email protected].

Oher CME or Clerkship questions: also contact Continuing Medical Education at [email protected].

Grand Rounds - May 2, 2025
"Navigating Care: The Impact of Implicit Bias and Cultural Competence on the Patient Experience"

Speaker: Neil J. Farber, MD, FACP. Director, Clinical Medicine, Professor Emeritus of Clinical Medicine, UCSD School of Medicine.

Objectives

1. Define cultural competence; implicit bias in healthcare; and health equity, inequity, and equality.
2. Recall challenges in healthcare encountered by patients of different cultural backgrounds and identity.
3. Propose culturally competent strategies to address challenges experienced by patients of different backgrounds.

Accreditation: St. Charles Health System is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians. St. Charles Health System designates this live activity for a maximum of 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)^TM.

The period to claim credit for this activity expires one year after its original publication. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Claim Credit

Target Audience: Physicians, Nurses, Pharmacists, Allied Health Professionals.

Accessibility/Program Questions: St. Charles Health System encourages persons with disabilities to participate in its programs and activities. If you anticipate needing any type of accommodation or have questions about the physical access provided, please contact Continuing Medical Education at [email protected].

Oher CME or Clerkship questions: also contact Continuing Medical Education at [email protected].

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