Food For Thought For Parents Considering Contact Sports

KYW's Medical Reports Sponsored By Independence Blue Cross

By Dr. Brian McDonough, Medical Editor

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Food for thought for parents of children considering contact sports.

Several studies support initial reports from the Journal of Neurology that too many concussions, or a concussion delivered after not enough time for healing, can have long-term effects on student's grade-point averages.

We have a great deal of data thanks to neuro-psychological tests which have been conducted on high school students between 13 and 19.

For children with more than two concussions and concussions that were sustained a week prior to testing, there is clear evidence that memory and other aspects of cognitive function can be affected. This is the bad news.

The good news is that we are learning more and more with each research study, which is helpful in allowing parents of younger athletes and older athletes to make informed decisions.