Head Injury

Head injuries are very common in children. Most head injuries are not serious; however, if your child does have a blow to the head, there are some things to look out for. Complications of head injuries include: concussion, which is a temporary problem with brain function but no actual brain injury; skull fracture; loss of consciousness; headaches, internal bleeding.

Signs to watch for that may indicate a complication of head injury include:

Persistent nausea or vomiting
New drainage of clear or bloody fluid from the nose or ears
Persistent headache or dizziness
Seizure
Labored breathing
Difference in pupil size or pupils that do not get smaller when a bright light is shined in them
Excessive sleepiness or a change in behavior.

Initially after a head injury, if there was no loss of consciousness or seizure, observe your child for 48 hours for any of the above signs, wake very 2 hours. Initially give only clear liquids because vomiting commonly occurs once or twice after a head injury. If there is a cut on the scalp, cleanse it gently. Notify the office if a wound doesn’t stop bleeding after 10-15 minutes of pressure, if you think the wound needs sutures, or if your child has any of the previously mentioned signs.

Head Injury

Signs to watch for that may indicate a complication of head injury include:

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