Clinical Guidance for Pediatric Mild TBI

Key points

  • Do not routinely image patients to diagnose Pediatric Mild Traumatic Brain Injury (mTBI).
  • Use validated, age-appropriate symptom scales to diagnose mTBI.
  • Assess evidence-based risk factors for prolonged recovery.
  • Provide patients with instructions on return to activity customized to their symptoms.
  • Counsel patients to return gradually to non-sports activities after no more than 1 to 2 days of rest.

Guiding principles

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Diagnosis and management of mild traumatic brain injury among children
CDC Guideline on the Diagnostic and Management of mTBI Among Children

Take action to improve the care of children with mTBI

The goal of the CDC Pediatric mTBI Guideline is to help healthcare providers take action to improve the health of their patients. The CDC Pediatric mTBI Guideline consists of 19 sets of clinical recommendations that cover diagnosis, prognosis, and management and treatment. These recommendations are for healthcare providers working in: inpatient, emergency, primary, and outpatient care settings.

The CDC Pediatric mTBI Guideline was developed through a rigorous process guided by the American Academy of Neurology and 2010 National Academy of Sciences methodologies. An extensive review of scientific literature, spanning 25 years of research, formed the basis of the Guideline.

Overview

Key Recommendations from the CDC Pediatric mTBI Guideline:‎

1. Do not routinely image patients to diagnose mTBI.


2. Use validated, age-appropriate symptom scales to diagnose mTBI.


3. Assess evidence-based risk factors for prolonged recovery.


4. Provide patients with instructions on return to activity customized to their symptoms.


5. Counsel patients to return gradually to non-sports activities after no more than 1 to 2 days of rest.

Resources

Provider Tools

Checklist on Diagnosis and Management

CDC pediatric mTBI guideline checklist
CDC Pediatric mTBI Guideline Checklist

Download: Checklist on Diagnosis and Management

View Checklist on Diagnosis and Management as a Web Page

At A Glance: Prognosis

CDC pediatric mTBI guideline prognostic recommendations
Prognostic recommendations

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At A Glance: Diagnosis

CDC pediatric mTBI guideline diagnostic recommendations
Diagnostic recommendations

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At A Glance: Treatment

CDC pediatric mTBI guideline management and treatment recommendations
Management and treatment recommendations

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Letter to schools to be filled in by healthcare providers

school letter returning to school after a concussion
School letter

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Acute Concussion Evaluation (ACE) Forms

The ACE (Acute Concussion Evaluation) forms are patient assessment tools.

ACE forms
Acute Concussion Evaluation Forms

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Emergency Department ACE form

Physician/Clinician office ACE form

Training

Click here for more information about the HEADS UP to Healthcare Providers online training.

Patient and Family Resources

Discharge Instructions

caring for your child's concussion
Caring for your child's concussion

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Symptom-based Recovery Tips

How can I help my child recover after a concussion? tip sheet
Tip Sheet

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To learn more about concussion, such as the signs and symptoms and how to safely return to school and sports after a concussion, check out the CDC HEADS UP website.