Thursday, February 11, 2010

Concussions extra dangerous to teen brains

(CNN) -- Max Conradt was used to defensive linemen hurtling their 300-pound frames at him week after week. He was a high school quarterback, the team leader who took his licks and got back up.

That is, until the wrenching hit that changed everything.

"It was a vicious hit," said Ralph Conradt, Max's father. "A really bad hit."

Afterward, the 17-year-old got up slowly, staggered for a few seconds, and continued to play. When the game ended, he limped toward the sideline.

...

"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."

http://www.cnn.com/2010/HEALTH/02/03/concussions.teen.brains/

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