Head Injury In Children – How to Identify the Trauma and Help – Head injury in children is among the most common causes of death and serious injury. In the United States, about 1 million people are admitted to hospital yearly due to head injuries. About 250,000 are admitted to intensive care units.
Head injuries in children or child abuse are very serious injuries. There are lots of signs of head injury in children. The doctor should diagnose it properly to ensure the child gets better.
Children are fragile and can suffer severe head injuries when they fall or are hit by any other object. A head injury is very serious and can cause severe damage to the brain.
A head injury is the most common type of injury that happens in children. It can occur in different ways. A child may fall and hit their head on the ground, get hit by a car, or get injured in any other way.
Head injuries in children or child abuse are very serious injuries. There are lots of signs of head injury in children. The doctor should diagnose it properly to ensure the child gets better.
Symptoms and Signs of Head Injury in Children
Head injuries in children are very common and can occur in various ways. These injuries can happen due to accidents, injuries in playgrounds, falls from heights, car crashes, and violence.
Several symptoms and signs may indicate the presence of head injury in children. You should seek medical attention immediately if you notice any of the following symptoms.
Head injury in children
2. Bleeding inside the skull
3. Seizures
4. Loss of consciousness
5. Coma
What Is a Concussion?
A concussion is a type of head injury. It is a complex pathophysiological process when the brain is subjected to biomechanical forces that produce rapid acceleration-deceleration forces.
Most of the time, a concussion is associated with minor head trauma. When a person experiences a blow to the head, they may lose consciousness, have a loss of memory, feel sick, and have other symptoms.
Head injuries in children are a major cause of death and disability. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), more than 1.6 million deaths are caused yearly by injuries, of which 500,000 are due to injuries to the brain.
It is estimated that about 10% of children die from injuries, and 50% of injuries to the brain are related to head trauma.
What Causes Concussions?
Children are often injured at home, at school, or at play. They are often hurt by playing with toys, playing sports, falling, or hitting their head on objects.
Common causes of head injury include:
• Falling from height
• Being hit by an object
• Colliding with another person or with an object
• Playing sports or being hit by a ball
Symptoms of Concussions
• Headache
• Sudden loss of consciousness
• Blurred vision
• Dizziness
• Severe headache
• Loss of consciousness
• Memory loss
• Impaired balance
• Feeling nauseous
• Confusion
• Difficulty concentrating
• Poor coordination
• Fatigue
When to Seek Medical Attention
The symptoms of concussion are similar to those of many other diseases. This means that you should seek medical advice if you notice any of the following:
• Headaches
• Loss of consciousness
• Severe headaches
• Confusion
Types of Concussions
Head trauma can cause a variety of problems, from mild to severe. Mild traumatic brain injury is the most common type of head injury, including concussions and other types of minor trauma to the head. One out of every six sports injuries is a concussion.
Injuries can happen during sports, accidents at home, and falls. When children sustain injuries, they may not understand what’s happening or how they feel.
Parents should watch for symptoms, such as changes in behavior, loss of consciousness, or unusual reactions to pain. If your child has a head injury, see a doctor right away.
Management of Concussions
Head injuries in children or child abuse are very serious injuries. There are lots of signs of head injury in children. The doctor should diagnose it properly to ensure the child gets better.
Children who have suffered from head injuries are often not treated for it. The parents may not know what to do to help the child. They need to understand how to identify the trauma and treat the head injury.
When a child suffers from a concussion may experience headaches, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, confusion, sleepiness, memory loss, fatigue, and so on.
The doctor should examine the child to find out if there is any bleeding. It is a sign that there is a problem. He may need to take X-rays of the skull. If the head injury has caused a fracture, the doctor may need to perform an MRI scan.
Some parents are unaware of the seriousness of the head injury in a child. Some may think it is a minor injury and they can deal with it at home.
Head injuries are not always visible. The doctor may ask the parents to watch the child carefully for abnormal behavior. He may also ask them to report any unusual behavior.
Head injuries in children or child abuse are very serious injuries. There are lots of signs of head injury in children. The doctor should diagnose it properly to ensure the child gets better.
Frequently Asked Questions(FAQs)
Q: Can a child suffer from a concussion?
A: Yes. It can be as serious as a severe brain injury. Contact their doctor immediately if you think your child has suffered a head injury.
Q: Should parents of kids experiencing signs of concussion get an MRI on their child?
A: Parents should consult a physician with experience treating children for head injuries. It is important to know whether the child is experiencing a concussion and what treatment needs to be initiated if they do have a concussion.
Q: How can parents prevent kids from suffering from concussions?
A: Children involved in any contact sport should wear appropriate headgear and helmets. They should not play sports while they are dazed, confused, or in any way appear to be impaired. They should always obey all rules that govern the sport.
Q: Can I take my child to school if they have a concussion?
A: In many cases, taking your child to school following a concussion is unnecessary. However, if you are concerned about the child’s progress, it may be beneficial to bring them to school to have someone monitor their recovery and progress.
Myths About Head Injury
1. If you hit your head, it’s ok to continue playing sports.
2. Children don’t get headaches from head injuries.
3. A fever and a headache are both signs of the flu.
4. You shouldn’t have to tell a doctor, “I’m having a headache.”
5. Headaches are caused by tension.
6. Headaches are caused by stress.
7. Don’t worry about a headache. It will pass.
Conclusion
There are many different types of head injuries. While most of them are not life-threatening, they may cause lasting physical, emotional, and psychological damage to a child.
A child with a head injury may be left with a learning disability, behavioral problems, memory loss, and other issues.
They also might have difficulty with their emotions or sleep. Here are the most common types of head injuries children experience: Concussions are the most common type of head injury in children. A concussion occurs when a bump or blow injures the brain or jolt to the head.
Concussion symptoms can range from no signs to headache, dizziness, nausea, confusion, vomiting, or memory loss. Children are more likely than adults to sustain concussions because their skulls are thinner and weigh less.
