Knees-up Heads-up
Newcastle Herald
Monday April 23, 2007
TEENAGERS who suffer impact injuries like a knee to the abdomen during a football game should be closely watched for damage to their pancreas, according to a study of young Australian rules footballers.
A study published in the latest issue of Emergency Medicine Australasia describes three cases of blunt pancreatic injury occurring during under-age AFL matches over a 12-month period where the children each spent about a week in hospital. Two recovered well, but the third child required major surgery five months after the original injury after he developed significant complications. Pancreatic injuries are most often caused during high speed motor vehicle accidents, bicycle accidents and falls. In Australian rules, where there is an emphasis on physical contact, frequent high-speed collisions often leave players' abdomens exposed with arms outstretched above their heads . The researcher urges parents and sporting coaches to seek advice after any significant collisions because the symptoms of pancreatic injury may not appear for up to 48 hours. AAP
© 2007 Newcastle Herald