Topic Overview
What to watch for after a head injury
A minor head injury is sometimes hard to distinguish
from a more serious injury to the brain even when there is no visible bleeding
or injury on the outside of the skull.
Check for the following
changes immediately after a head injury:
- A significant change in the child's
level of consciousness
- Confusion or not
acting normal, such as extreme fussiness or crying that cannot be
comforted
- Abnormally deep sleep, trouble waking up, or extreme
sleepiness
- Vomiting
- Symptoms that affect one side of
the body more than the other side, such as weakness or problems moving an arm
or leg
- Loss of vision
- Seizure
- Fever
A decrease in
level of consciousness following a head injury may
signal a life-threatening problem caused by bleeding, injury, or swelling
within or around the brain. A child's level of consciousness can deteriorate
suddenly or gradually. This change can be permanent or temporary.
If a parent or caregiver can't be sure that a child was conscious
following a head injury, a visit to a doctor is needed for further
evaluation.
Credits
| By | Healthwise Staff |
|---|
| Primary Medical Reviewer | William H. Blahd, Jr., MD, FACEP - Emergency Medicine |
|---|
| Specialist Medical Reviewer | H. Michael O'Connor, MD - Emergency Medicine |
|---|
| Last Revised | April 5, 2012 |
|---|