Nice weather coming to Kansas City, Missouri and the rest of the midwest means our kids will be playing outside with more frequency, and we welcome spring with open arms. But outside play also means more potential for sustaining a traumatic brain injury (TBI). Missouri and Kansas parents are advised to keep a careful watch out for falls on the playground that can lead to TBI:

A new CDC report reveals the following: Children ages 0-4 are part of the high risk population for TBI, as are teenagers 15-19. Senior citizens 75 and up also make the list.

When a Traumatic Brain Injury(TBI) occurs, normal brain functions are interrupted. It can be caused by any sudden blow or jolt to the brain. Traumatic Brain Injuries are the cause of nearly a third of injury-related deaths in the U.S. every year, many occurring here in Missouri and Kansas. For teenagers 15-19, brain injuries are usually caused by car accidents. Falling is the leading cause of TBI in senior citizens and young children.

Babies and toddlers are still developing their sense of balance, which is why they fall more frequently. As any parent will tell you, falling is a normal part of childhood. Most falls don't cause serious injuries as a TBI, but being around stairs or furniture with a hard edge, or walking up an incline, could increase the chances of brain Injuries to occur.

So why should parents be concerned?

Speed is essential when treating traumatic brain injury. Neurologists agree that there is a 60 to 90 minute time frame from the time the injury occurs to the point that treatment must begin. But most Traumatic Brain Injuries are not obvious immediately after happening, which makes detecting them very difficult, especially in younger children.

With younger children - one who is preverbal or just beginning to learn the language - it is hard to tell what they are feeling because it is hard for them to explain, according to Dr. Lisa McGuire of the CDC's Injury Center. Dr. McGuire says whenever a child suffers a blow to the head, parents should watch for following symptoms: sudden drowsiness or inability to be alert, difficulty recognizing familiar people or places, sudden whining or irritability, loss of interest in favorite toys, numbness of one side of the body, vomiting, or neck pain.

Every second counts when someone has a traumatic brain Injury. Consult a doctor immediately if you notice your child having any of these symptoms.

"The main thing to always remember is that TBIs are a major health issue, " says Dr. McGuire. "And those who have TBI, who do not die, are the ones who go to the emergency room."