Identifying Risks for Persistent Postconcussive Symptoms in a Pediatric Emergency Department: An Examination of a Clinical Risk Score.

Abstract

External examination of a clinical risk score to predict persistent postconcussive symptoms (PPCS) in a pediatric emergency department (ED). Prospective cohort study of 5- to 18-year-old patients diagnosed with an acute concussion. Risk factors were collected at diagnosis and participants (n=85) were followed to determine PPCS 30days postinjury. Univariate logistic regression analyses were completed to examine associations of risk factors with PPCS. Headache and total clinical risk score were associated with increased odds of PPCS in the univariate analyses, OR 3.37 (95% CI 1.02, 11.10) and OR 1.25 (95% CI 1.02, 1.52), respectively. Additionally, teenage age group, history of prolonged concussions, and risk group trended toward association with PPCS, OR 4.79 (95% CI 0.93, 24.7), OR 3.41 (95% CI 0.88, 13.20), and OR 2.23 (95% CI 0.88, 5.66), respectively. Our study supports the use of multiple variables of a clinical risk score to assist with ED risk stratification for pediatric patients at risk for PPCS.