LIVING GUIDELINE FOR PEDIATRIC CONCUSSION CARE

The Living Guideline for Pediatric Concussion Care shares up-to-date evidence-based clinical recommendations & tools for healthcare professionals diagnosing and managing children and adolescents with concussion. This project is funded by the Ontario Ministry of Health in Canada and includes over 45 volunteer concussion experts from across the US and Canada who work together to review the latest evidence and update the clinical recommendations and tools as the evidence evolves. See the “What’s New” tab for updates and scroll down for a full list of our clinical guidelines recommendations, tools, and clinical algorithms.

Section A: Pediatric Concussion Recognition, Initial Medical Assessment, Management

Domain 1: Concussion Recognition and Directing to Care

Concussion Recognition and Directing to Care

Domain 2: Initial Medical Assessment and Management

Initial Medical Assessment and Management

Domain 3: Medical follow-up

Medical Follow-Up

Domain 4: Medical Clearance for Full-Contact Sports or High-Risk Activity

Medical Clearance for Full-Contact Sports or High-Risk Activity

Domain 5: Sport Concussion Considerations

Sport Concussion Considerations

Domain 12: Return-to-School and Work

Return-to-School and Work

Domain 12: Return-to-School and Work

Telemedicine and Virtual Pediatric Concussion Care

Section B: Managing Concussion Symptoms

Domain 6: Headache

Headache

Domain 7: Sleep

Sleep

Domain 8: Mental Health

Mental Health and Psychosocial Factors

Domain 9: Cognition

Cognition

Domain 10: Vision, Vestibular, and Oculomotor Function

Vision, Vestibular, and Oculomotor Function

Domain 11: Fatigue

Fatigue

Section C: Biomarkers

Domain 13: Biomarkers- Neuroimaging

Biomarkers- Neuroimaging

Domain 14: Biomarkers- Serologic

Biomarkers- Serologic

The recommendations and resources found within the Living Guideline for Pediatric Concussion Care are intended to inform and instruct care providers and other stakeholders who deliver services to children and youth who have sustained or are suspected of having sustained a concussion. This guideline is not intended for use with patients or clients over the age of 18 years. It is not for self-diagnosis or treatment. Patient, parents, and/or caregivers may wish to bring their healthcare and other providers’ attention to this guideline. The best available evidence has informed the recommendations in this document, and relevant evidence published after this guideline could influence the recommendations made within. Healthcare professionals should also consider their own judgment, the preferences of their patients, and factors such as the availability of resources in their decisions.