Concussion Screening Specialist

Board Certified Pediatricians, ADHD Specialists, and Pediatric Endocrinologists located in Rockville, MD

Concussion Screening services offered in Rockville , MD

A concussion test can detect changes in the brain that indicate a head injury. If your child hits their head or shows signs of a concussion, like confusion or nausea, see pediatricians Victor Abdow Jr., MD, Azra Jagani, MD, and Amita DeSouza, MD, at Abdow Friendship Pediatrics in Rockville, Maryland. The team uses advanced testing to detect and evaluate concussions. If your child hits their head, call Abdow Friendship Pediatrics right away for a concussion screening or book an appointment online.

Concussion Screening Q&A

What is a concussion screening?

A concussion screening is a test that detects a head injury called a concussion. Concussions happen when your brain bounces off the side of your skull. These injuries often happen because of an impact, like during sports or a car accident. Concussions are milder than other traumatic brain injuries, but they can still lead to long-term complications.

The concussion screening at Abdow Friendship Pediatrics assesses your child’s brain function. Not only can the screening detect concussions, but it can also show the differences in your child’s brain function compared to the baseline.

Many athletes take baseline brain function tests before a season starts so they can compare the results in the event of a head injury. Consider a baseline brain function test for your child if they’re at a particularly high risk for concussions.

What are the signs of a concussion?

Concussions cause an array of symptoms that vary from person to person. Some show up right away or shortly after the injury, while others may show up weeks or even months later. Even if your child has no symptoms after hitting their head, consider a concussion screening just in case.

You should also get a concussion screening for your child if you notice symptoms like:

Confusion
Fatigue
Nausea and vomiting
Headache
Memory problems
Mood changes
Sensitivity to light
Dizziness

More severe symptoms, like seizures, slurred speech, or loss of consciousness, require medical attention right away because the brain injury may be more severe than a concussion.

What should I expect during a concussion screening?

The team at Abdow Friendship Pediatrics welcomes your child in for a concussion screening whenever they need one. They start by asking about your child’s symptoms and performing a brief physical exam.

We use the S.C.A.T .concussion screening tool to assess the degree of a concussion..it checks parameters like:

Vision
Hearing
Attention span
Memory
Concentration
Coordination
Reflexes
Speed of response

Other tests that can detect concussions are imaging tests, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans and computed tomography (CT) scans. They can show the size and location of the concussion. The team at Abdow Friendship Pediatrics may recommend one of these tests if necessary.

If your child shows signs of a concussion, don’t hesitate to schedule a concussion screening by phone or online at Abdow Friendship Pediatrics today.

We specialize in Pediatric and Adolescent medicine in Rockville, MD. Call us to book your appointment today.