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Head Injury Guidelines
- Author:
- Reprint US Youth Soccer
- Date Published:
- April 15, 2003
US YOUTH SOCCER – REGION IV ODP – HEAD INJURY GUIDELINES
GRADE 1 CONCUSSION
Definition: Transient confusion, no loss of consciousness, and a duration of mental status abnormalities of <15 minutes.
Management: The athlete should be removed from sports activity, examined immediately and at 5-minute intervals, and
allowed to return that day to sports activity only if post concussive symptoms resolve within 15 minutes. Any athlete who
incurs a second Grade 1 concussion on the same day should be removed from the sports activity until a symptomatic for 1
week.
GRADE 2 CONCUSSIONS
Definition: Transient confusion, no loss of consciousness, and a duration of mental status abnormalities of >=15 minutes.
Management: The athlete should be removed from sports activity and examined frequently to assess the evolution of
symptoms, with more extensive diagnostic evaluation if the symptoms worsen or persist for >than 1 week. The athlete
should return to sports activity only after a symptomatic for 1 full week. Any athlete who incurs a Grade 2 concussion
subsequent to a Grade 1 activity on the same day should be removed from sports activity until a symptomatic for 2 weeks.
GRADE 3 CONCUSSIONS
Definition: Loss of consciousness, either brief (seconds) or prolonged (minutes or longer).
Management: The athlete should be removed from sports activity for 1 full week without symptoms if the loss of
consciousness is brief or 2 full weeks without symptoms if the loss of consciousness is prolonged. If still unconscious or
if abnormal neuralgic signs are present at the time of initial evaluation, the athlete should be transported by ambulance to
the nearest hospital emergency department. An athlete who suffers a second Grade 3 concussion should be removed from
sports activity until a symptomatic for 1 month. Any athlete with an abnormality on computed tomography or magnetic
resonance imaging brain scan consistent with brain swelling, contusion, or other intracranial pathology should be removed
from sports activity for the season and discouraged from future return in contact sports.
Source: Quality Standards Subcommittee, American Academy of Neurology