Are We Permitting Pediatric Athletes With Sports-Related Concussion to Return to Play Too Soon After Concussion?

Current guidelines permitting return to play for athletes who have sustained a concussion rely on resolution of cognitive and physical symptoms. Evolving evidence suggest that vascular, radiologic and cerebral metabolic abnormalities persist in some athletes beyond the period of clinical recovery. This commentary addresses these issues and raises a question as to whether physicians are permitting pediatric athletes with concussion to return to play too soon after concussion.