What is head injury?

Head injury is caused by trauma to the head, most often from falls,  sports-related accidents, motor vehicle accidents, and shaking.

What are the symptoms of head injury?

Pain and crying are common. Crying should stop approximately 10 minutes after the injury.

Vomiting after a head injury is also common.

Home care

Head injury may safely be treated at home only if all of the following are true:

• Your child has none of the warning signs listed below.

• Your child fell less than four feet.

• The surface the child struck is relatively soft (not concrete or ceramic, for example).

• Your child behaves normally, crying at first but is consolable within a few minutes.

Continue to observe your child carefully for any of the warning signs  for two days after the injury. You may have to wake your child  periodically at night after an injury.

Apply a cold compress to reduce swelling to any bruised area.

Prevention

Always keep one hand on your child when she is on a high surface. Children begin to roll over around the age of 4 months.

Always make sure your children are wearing adequate head protection – bike helmets or the appropriate head gear for sports.

Always buckle up your child when in the car. Please refer to the car seats page for the latest recommendations.

NEVER shake your child! If you feel yourself  becoming angry or frustrated with your child, put her in a safe place  such as a crib, with your partner, etc. and take a breather.

Warning signs – Call our office for advice if:

Your child becomes drowsy or cannot be woken from sleep, Call Our Office Now.

Your child vomits more than 2 times following a head injury, Call Our Office Now.

Your child develops blurry vision, Call Our Office Now.

Your child changes in behavior or personality, such as appearing confused or irritable, Call Our Office Now.

Your child has clear fluid draining from her ears or nose, Call Our Office Now.

Your child develops severe headaches, Call Our Office Now.

Your child has difficulty using her arms or legs, Call Our Office Now.

Your child develops slurred speech or difficulty talking, Call Our Office Now.

Your child develops seizures, Call Our Office Now.

Your child fell on a hard surface such as concrete or ceramic tile, Call Our Office Now.

Your child’s eye was injured in the head injury, Call Our Office Now.

You think your child might require stitches for a cut on the skin, Call Our Office Now.

You have any questions or concerns, or if you have any doubts about the severity of your child’s symptoms, Call Our Office Now.