Consequences of repeatblows can be severe for youngsters.

Byline: Tim Christie The Register-Guard

The consequences of letting a young athlete return to play before he or she has fully recovered from a concussion can be dire.

A second blow to a brain still recovering from concussion, even if it is of much less force, can cause serious chronic problems, including headaches, poor sleep, moodiness and fatigue, said Dr. Micky Collins, assistant director of the Sports Medicine Concussion Center at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.

Rarely, and most commonly among adolescent boys, a second concussion can result in a condition called Second Impact Syndrome, which can cause severe brain injury and sometimes death, said Dr. Mick Koester, a Eugene pediatrician specializing in sports medicine.

"The brain's ability to regulate blood flow goes completely haywire," he said. "All the capillaries carrying blood in the brain open up and you get a massive increase in blood to the brain. It increases the pressure and swelling inside the brain and almost always leads to severe brain injury."

That's what happened to Max Conradt of Yachats when he was playing football for Waldport High School in 2001. He suffered concussions in back-to-back games, collapsing at halftime of the second game. He underwent four surgeries in two weeks at Legacy Emanual Hospital in Portland to stop the bleeding in his brain. He was in a coma for two months.

Today, unable to work, he lives in an assisted-living facility in Portland and will be disabled the rest of his life, said his father, Ralph Conradt of Bend. "There is no recovery," he said.

Conradt is working on a film about head injuries in football, and he's interested in pushing legislation that would require schools to get rid of helmets more than 10 years old - the helmet Max was wearing was 20 years old.

Ryan McKenzie fared better than Conradt. McKenzie was a standout running back for Springfield High School when he suffered a concussion - apparently not his first - while making a tackle against Bend in 2001. He was taken out of the game and suffered a seizure on the sideline. He spent nine days in the hospital. His football career was done.

Bob McKenzie, a former Springfield football coach, said his son appears to be fully recovered from the injury, "as far as we know." He suspects his son may have some problems with short-term memory, but "he wouldn't tell us if he was," he said.

"He wouldn't want to worry us," he said. "I've asked him numerous times. He says, `I'm fine, Dad.'?"

Ryan McKenzie graduated from Portland State University and is now working for a winery in Washington state, a job he loves, his father said.

Ryan McKenzie was a tough kid, and he was good at hiding his aches and pains. Bob McKenzie said he thinks his son suffered an earlier concussion before the injury that put him in the hospital, but said he was OK.

"He just didn't want to lose his football," he said.

What parents can do

Before the season

Ask coaches how they teach kids how to tackle and block. "See what you hit" means football players should keep their heads up when blocking and tackling, rather than leading with their heads.

Ask coaches whether they have training in how to recognize concussion, and if they're aware of the signs and symptoms of concussion, and what they do if the symptoms occur.

Ask whether an athletic trainer is on duty during practices and games, and if a physician is on the sideline during games.

Ask the coach or equipment manager for proof of how old helmets are, said Ralph Conradt, whose son, Max, was disabled for life after suffering concussions playing football for Waldport High School. If in doubt, parents of means can buy a new NFL-type helmet for about $180, he said.

For soccer, consider padded head gear, such as those made by Full90.

If your child suffers a bump or blow to the head during a game or practice, look for these signs of concussions

He or she appears dazed or stunned; is confused about assignment or position; forgets an instruction; is unsure of game, score or opponent; moves clumsily; answers questions slowly; loses consciousness (even briefly); shows behavior or personality changes; can't recall events before or after the hit.

If you think your child has suffered a concussion, seek medical attention immediately. Keep your child out of play. Tell the coach about any recent concussions.