While the outcome was not typical of most concussions suffered by high school athletes, this CNN report looks at the devastating impact a concussion had upon one teenage football player, Max Conradt. It provides a cautionary tale and waves the flag, calling for clearer rules for identifying and treating adolescent concussions.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, almost 4 million sports and recreation-related concussions occur each year. Experts say the vast majority are suffered at the high school level, but few schools have rules governing how concussion is treated -- and few coaches are trained to identify it.
"It's the group we need to worry about most," said Dr. Jeffrey Kutcher, chairman of the American Academy of Neurology Sports Neurology Section, adding that fewer than half of high schools have access to athletic trainers.
"If there is any suggestion of a concussion, we need to take kids out of the game," said Dr. Stan Herring, team physician for the Seattle Seahawks. "The consequences [of not doing so] can be devastating or even fatal."
Source: CNN
http://www.cnn.com/2010/HEALTH/02/03/concussions.teen.brains/index.html