Head Injuries In Kids: When To Worry About Sleep

If your child has hit their head, it's important to be vigilant about monitoring their health. While it was previously believed that children should be kept awake after a head injury, we now know that this is an old wives' tale. In fact, allowing your child to rest and sleep can aid their recovery. However, it's crucial to first check with a healthcare professional to ensure that your child does not have a more serious head injury. Symptoms such as seizures, weakness on one side of the body, dilated pupils, or trouble walking could indicate a more severe condition. If your child is displaying any of these symptoms, seek immediate medical attention. Additionally, if your child is an infant, loses consciousness, or is inconsolable after hitting their head, call your doctor or emergency services right away. Trust your instincts, and don't hesitate to reach out for medical advice if you have any concerns.

If your child has had a little bump, keep an eye on them

If your child has had a little bump, it's important to keep an eye on them. Even if it seems like just a bump on the head, pay attention to your child's behaviour. If your child is an infant, loses consciousness, or is inconsolable after a head injury, call your doctor right away or call emergency services. If your child is older and did not lose consciousness, apply an ice pack to the injured area for 20 minutes every few hours, then watch for signs of a concussion.

A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head or body that causes the head and brain to move rapidly back and forth. While a concussion is typically not life-threatening, its effects can be serious. If you suspect your child has a concussion, call your doctor immediately. Repeated concussions are linked to a degenerative brain disease known as chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE).

If you don't suspect a concussion and your child's skin colour and breathing are normal, let them rest. Check on them from time to time, but there is no medical need to keep a child awake after a head injury. It is important to document every instance of a head injury, as there can be cumulative effects.

It is also essential to be vigilant for any signs of problems, such as a severe headache, vomiting, changes in speech, or difficulty with walking or coordination. Waking your child up twice each night during the first two nights after a fall in which they hit their head is recommended. If they are alert when woken up, it is unlikely that the fall has caused any evolving problems, such as bleeding in the brain.

If your child seems overly groggy or lethargic, or if you are worried for any reason, trust your instincts and call their doctor for advice. If, at any point, you are unable to wake your child, take them to the emergency room.

If your child has had a serious fall, call their doctor

If your child has had a serious fall, it's important to remain calm and take the following steps:

Assess the situation

Check for any bumps, bruises, cuts, or swelling, paying close attention to the head, neck, and limbs. For older children, ask them where it hurts and how the fall occurred. If your child is an infant or toddler, look at the body part that made the first impact, as this will likely be the site of injury. If you didn't witness the fall, undress them and look for redness, swelling, and increased warmth. Gently check for tenderness by using your finger to lightly press on different body parts.

Seek medical attention

If your child has sustained a serious injury, call their doctor or visit the nearest urgent care facility for further evaluation and treatment. It is recommended to seek medical attention if your child:

• Has fallen from a significant height, such as stairs or play equipment
• Has hit their head, especially if they lost consciousness or are displaying any unusual behaviours
• Has any serious cuts or broken bones
• Is unresponsive or unconscious
• Is having trouble breathing
• Has slurred or incoherent speech
• Is bleeding profusely

In an emergency, call 911 or take your child to the emergency room immediately.

Provide first aid

If the injury seems minor, you can treat your child's fall at home. Clean minor cuts with warm water to remove dirt and cover them with antibiotic cream and a bandage. Apply an ice pack wrapped in a cloth to bumps to reduce swelling and pain. Give over-the-counter medication like ibuprofen or acetaminophen for pain if your child is alert, but never give aspirin to children as it can lead to serious conditions like Reye's syndrome.

Monitor for changes

Even if the injury appears minor, continue to observe your child for several hours after the fall. Keep an eye on their behaviour and condition, looking for any changes. If your child experiences difficulty moving their limbs or favouring one side, take them to a healthcare provider as this could indicate a more serious injury. If your child becomes very sleepy, confused, or experiences vomiting, frequent headaches, or problems with balance or memory, seek emergency medical attention as these could be signs of a head injury.

Signs of a concussion include severe headache, vomiting, changes in speech, or difficulty with walking or coordination

If your child has hit their head, it is important to monitor them closely for any signs of a concussion. While a concussion is not usually life-threatening, its effects can be serious, so it is important to be vigilant. Concussion symptoms are usually most severe right after the injury and can last for 1 to 2 days. However, they may also take hours or days to appear, so it is important to monitor your child closely.

If your child has hit their head, it is a good idea to wake them up twice during the first two nights after the incident to ensure that they are alert and responsive. If they seem overly groggy or lethargic, or if you are worried for any reason, trust your instincts and call their doctor for advice.

If your child has any of the following danger signs, seek immediate emergency medical care:

• Convulsions or seizures (shaking or twitching)
• Inability to recognize people or places
• Repeated nausea or vomiting
• Unusual behaviour, increased confusion, restlessness, or agitation
• Loss of consciousness with increasing drowsiness, inability to wake up, or inability to stay awake
• Slurred speech, weakness, numbness, or decreased coordination
• A headache that gets worse and does not go away
• One pupil being larger than the other or experiencing double vision

If your child seems overly groggy or lethargic, call their doctor

If your child seems overly groggy or lethargic, or if you're worried for any reason, trust your instincts and call their doctor for advice. The doctor may want to give them a quick checkup. If at any point you're unable to wake your child, take them to the emergency room.

It's important to watch your child closely for signs of problems, such as a severe headache, vomiting, changes in speech, or difficulty with walking or coordination. It's a good idea to wake your child up twice each night during the first two nights after they've hit their head, just to make sure you can. If they're alert when you wake them up, it's unlikely that the fall has caused any evolving problems, like bleeding in the brain.

Concussion symptoms usually happen right away, but sometimes they don't show up until hours or days after an injury. You know your child best. If you see any signs that concern you, call your doctor.

If your child has had a little bump, you'll just want to keep an eye on them for a while. It's an old wives' tale that you need to keep a child awake after a serious fall to prevent a coma. In fact, having your child take a restorative nap after an emotional trauma like a scary fall can be comforting.

If at any point you're unable to wake your child, take them to the emergency room

If your child has hit their head, it is important to remain vigilant and monitor them closely for any signs of problems. If at any point you are unable to wake your child, take them to the emergency room.

If your child has had a little bump, you should still keep an eye on them. You may want to wake them up twice during the first two nights after the incident to ensure that they are responsive. If they are alert when you wake them, it is unlikely that the fall has caused any serious or evolving problems, such as bleeding in the brain. However, if your child seems overly groggy or lethargic, or if you are worried for any reason, trust your instincts and call their doctor for advice.

If your child has experienced a major collision or a fall from a serious distance, such as falling down the stairs or being hit with a bat or ball, you should contact their doctor immediately. Provide the details of the accident and any symptoms your child is experiencing, such as loss of consciousness, excessive irritability or crying, vomiting, or lethargy. The doctor will advise you on whether to bring your child to the office or directly to the emergency room.

It is important to remember that even if your child did not lose consciousness, a head injury can still result in a concussion. A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head or body, leading to rapid movement of the brain inside the skull. While a concussion is typically not life-threatening, its effects can be serious. Symptoms of a concussion include sensitivity to noise and light, personality changes, headache, vomiting, changes in speech, and difficulty with walking or coordination. Repeated concussions are linked to long-term degenerative brain diseases, so it is crucial to seek medical attention and document every instance of a head injury.

In summary, if your child hits their head, monitor them closely and trust your instincts. If at any point you are unable to wake your child, take them to the emergency room immediately.

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