Study: Concussions Don’t Reduce IQ of Children

Every year millions of children in North America get concussions in sports, falling, and from mild head injuries. A new study, “IQ After Pediatric Concussion,” in the August 2023 Pediatrics (published online July 17), found that these common and concerning head injuries may not be impacting the intelligence or IQ scores of the children impacted. Researchers examined data from two studies—which involved two emergency departments in the U.S. and five in Canada—that IQ-tested 566 children, ages 8-16, who were recruited within 48 hours after sustaining a concussion. They completed IQ and performance validity testing 3-18 days after the injury in the U.S. or 3-months post-injury at participating EDs in Canada. IQ scores were examined using three statistical models, and compared against 300 children with other injuries, and found no differences in IQ in the first several weeks to months after the injury. Study authors concluded that more research is needed on children who don’t seek medical treatment for concussions, but that this research should help doctors provide meaningful guidance and care to families and children following a head injury that concussions do not negatively affect intellectual functioning.

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The American Academy of Pediatrics is an organization of 67,000 primary care pediatricians, pediatric medical subspecialists and pediatric surgical specialists dedicated to the health, safety and well-being of infants, children, adolescents and young adults.