Concussion in poor kids a worry
Concussed rugby players from New Zealand’s poorer schools are four times as likely to go untreated as those from schools in rich areas, new figures reveal.
Experts say the statistics are a big concern, as putting concussed kids back on the field risks lasting damage, and putting them back in the classroom sets them up to fail.
An ACC/Sport New Zealand presentation obtained by The Dominion Post estimated 1 in 2.6 rugby concussions went untreated in the poorest – decile one and two – schools, compared with 1 in 11 concussions in the richest – decile 10 – schools.
The presentation also identified a public relations risk, should media learn of the inequalities.
Overall injury rates were also higher in the poorest schools, at 32 per cent, compared with the average rate of 25 per cent. While rugby has by far the most concussions of any individual sport, it makes up only one in four secondary school, sportrelated concussions, the presentation noted.
ACC head of injury prevention Emma Powell said the numbers – crunched by analysts Dot Loves Data – were preliminary, but not surprising.
Globally, injury rates were higher in poorer areas, because of barriers such as access to healthcare and lack of education.
Children’s commissioner Andrew Becroft, a former Youth Court judge, said undiagnosed concussions were a significant concern as untreated symptoms, such as severe headaches, loss of concentration and memory loss, could derail a teen’s life. An English study found twothirds of young people in custody had suffered a traumatic brain injury.
‘‘I think it is one of the hidden and significantly under-identified issues in New Zealand.’’
Concussion researcher, and Hutt Hospital emergency department nurse, Dr Doug King, also said unmanaged concussions in young people could be setting them up to fail. ‘‘If the kid goes back into school and starts failing, and then they become deviant because they can’t cope, you’re starting them on a downward spiral.’’
He recently had a ‘‘really sick’’ schoolboy in ED, who’d had five head-knocks in three weeks, having switched between rugby and league.
The mandatory stand-down for young players is supposed to be 23 days for rugby and 28 days for rugby league.
Recently-retired school rugby referee John McCormack said better follow-up was needed. While referees reported concussions to the rugby union in Wellington, the same 13- or 14-year-old sometimes turned up again the next week, under a different referee.
‘‘It should not start at the top, it should start at the bottom.’’
However, NZ Rugby medical director Dr Ian Murphy said it was up to coaches and team management to ensure concussed players did not return early.
Socio-economic factors were known to be the biggest barrier to accessing medical care but that was not unique to rugby, he said.
The organisation was piloting baseline testing, including at low-decile schools, which would help concussion diagnosis.
Rob Sturch, principal of decile two Hastings Boys’ High, was confident concussion was being reported and treated at his school.
Coaches were vigilant, including standing down 1st XV star halfback Folau Fakatava for the 2016 national secondary schools final, after he suffered a head-knock, Sturch said.
The school also had an on-site doctor, so poverty was no barrier to a medical check-up.