Skip to main content

No Evidence Seen for Differences in IQ After Pediatric Concussion

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com.

By Elana Gotkine HealthDay Reporter

MONDAY, July 17, 2023 -- There is no evidence for clinically meaningful differences in IQ scores after pediatric concussion, according to a study published online July 17 in Pediatrics.

Ashley L. Ware, Ph.D., from Georgia State University in Atlanta, and colleagues recruited children for two prospective cohort studies from emergency departments at children's hospitals ≤48 hours after sustaining a concussion or orthopedic injury. IQ and performance validity testing were completed postacutely (three to 18 days postinjury) or three months postinjury. Three complementary statistical approaches (linear modeling, Bayesian, and multigroup factor analysis) were used to examine group differences in IQ scores.

The researchers observed small group differences in full-scale IQ and matrix reasoning, but not in vocabulary scores using linear models. There was no association seen for IQ scores with previous concussion, acute clinical features, injury mechanism, a validated clinical risk score, preinjury or postinjury symptom ratings, litigation, or symptomatic status at one month after injury. Moderate to very strong evidence against group differences in IQ scores was seen in Bayesian models. Strict measurement invariance was seen in a multigroup factor analysis, indicating group equivalence in factor structure of the IQ test and latent variable means.

"These results indicate that pediatric concussion does not negatively affect intellectual functioning early and up to three months postinjury, and hence suggest that using IQ tests to assess concussion outcomes is likely of limited utility," the authors write.

Several authors disclosed ties to the publishing industry.

Abstract/Full Text

Editorial

Disclaimer: Statistical data in medical articles provide general trends and do not pertain to individuals. Individual factors can vary greatly. Always seek personalized medical advice for individual healthcare decisions.

© 2024 HealthDay. All rights reserved.

Read this next

Many With Firearm in the House Store Firearms Loaded, Unlocked

THURSDAY, June 13, 2024 -- Among individuals with a firearm kept in the house, a considerable proportion report that the firearm was stored loaded, and about half report that the...

Social Determinants of Health Linked to TBI Incidence in Older Adults

THURSDAY, June 6, 2024 -- Social determinants of health are associated with traumatic brain injury (TBI) incidence among older adults, according to a study published online May 31...

Survival Possible for Some With TBI for Whom Treatment Was Withdrawn

MONDAY, May 13, 2024 -- A substantial proportion of patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI) who undergo withdrawal of life-sustaining treatment (WLST) could have survived and...

More news resources

Subscribe to our newsletter

Whatever your topic of interest, subscribe to our newsletters to get the best of Drugs.com in your inbox.