Tuesday, October 2, 2007

Girls' concussion risk overlooked, Times says

Girls competing in sports like soccer and basketball are more susceptible to concussions than boys are when playing the same sports, according to a story in today's New York Times.

Post-concussion syndrome — in which dizziness, lethargy and the inability to concentrate can cost teenagers weeks or months of school — is a growing concern, doctors said. Just as common among girls as boys, it is even more misunderstood among female athletes at this level, a Boston concussion expert said.

"Generally speaking, the medical profession does not do a very good job in recognizing that female athletes sustain concussions at an equal or even higher rate as males," Dr. Robert Cantu of Brigham and Women’s Hospital told the Times. "It’s flying under the radar. And as a result, looking for concussions in women is not pursued with the same diligence, and it’s setting girls up for a worse result."

Posted by Elizabeth Cooney at 07:37 AM

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