Head Trauma
Kids fall and bump their
heads commonly, and luckily the vast majority of these injuries are minor.
A child's skull
is more flexible than an adult's, and can therefore tolerate more of a bump without
breaking. All head injuries are potentially serious however, due to the possibility of
internal bleeding in the brain. Sometimes this may not start until many hours after the
event, so a child who looks fine even to the doctor may suddenly deteriorate later.
Because of this children deserve careful watching by their parents after a bump on the
head of any sort - the longer they remain well the less likely anything bad will occur.
Generally head injuries
which are sustained while moving on/in a vehicle (auto, bicycle, sled, skateboard, skates)
or in a fall from some height (window, stairs, porch) are far more likely to be
significant than those that occur while running or just "horsing around".
A
child will surely need to be examined if there is any immediate loss of consciousness or
seizure (convulsion). A child who has difficulty with memory for the event or the period
just before or after may have a concussion and should also be seen.
Otherwise it is safe
for a parent to keep the child quiet and observe for the following:
lethargy,
disorientation
visual disturbance, unequal pupils
profuse watery nasal drainage (not present before)
bleeding from ears
stiffness
convulsions
dizziness or clumsiness
stiff neck
Should any of the above
occur you should call immediately. While it is OK to let a child go to sleep (a
child who is sleepy and oriented is probably OK), you should wake them every 2-3 hours and
check for these things.
Finally, it is normal for a
large bump to appear on the head quite rapidly after a fall. This will be
tender to touch and appear bruised. It should feel hard initially. This should not concern you
too much. If the "bump" feels soft or has "give" to it, however - or
if there appears to be more of a "dent" than a bump - you should call.
Bumps on the forehead will often lead to a black eye several days later. If the
black eye appears on the first day however you should call. |
