Today we will talk about what to do if the child fell and hit the back of the head. In this article, you will learn what such a fall can lead to, what consequences can occur if you do not see a doctor in time, what symptoms indicate the seriousness of the toddler's condition. You will also learn how to provide first aid and what to do to try to prevent possible bruises on the back of the head.
Anxiety symptoms
It is possible that a blow to the back of the head will pass practically without the appearance of characteristic symptoms. Or maybe it just hurt the place of injury. But parents should know when any signs and features in the behavior and well-being of the baby appear, it is necessary to urgently consult a doctor, and sometimes urgently call an ambulance team.
- The baby's limbs are numb.
- In the eyes of the little one, everything doubles up.
- Nausea has developed, which may be accompanied by severe vomiting.
- Revealing differences in the size of the pupils, short-term twitching of the eyes.
- The skin turned pale. A blue tint may appear.
- The child cries a lot, do not calm down for more than 15 minutes.
- Convulsive seizures appeared.
- There was nosebleeds, bleeding in the eyes.
- Change in coordination of movements, imbalance.
- Clear discharge from the ears, mouth, or nose appears.
- It is difficult for a child to turn his head to the side.
- Inhibition of speech.
- The child hit the back of his head, the bump grew very large - be sure to see a doctor.
Possible impact results
Parents should be aware of the following injuries, other than minor bruises, for their child as a result of a blow to the back of the head:
- Brain contusion. This can happen if the child hits the back of the head on the floor. Since small children have not yet fully formed and insufficiently strong skeletal system, and in particular the bones of the skull, then a fall may result in a brain injury. If the form of such an injury is mild, the doctor will prescribe medication, in case of severe injury, surgery.
- Concussion. It occurs quite often with blows to the back of the head. As a rule, treatment takes place without complications, with the help of medication.
- Fracture. Often accompanied by discharge from the ears or nose of the child. They can be presented as a clear liquid or blood. Treatment is conservative.
- Traumatic brain injury. It can be closed and open. The treatment process is the longest. Symptoms of this pathology are severe drowsiness, fainting, vomiting, convulsions.
One day my son fell in the street and hit the back of his head. At the same time, there was even an abrasion with slight bleeding, which was successfully stopped. Everything was done without medication.
Once, when my friend and daughter were returning home from kindergarten (in winter), they slipped, fell and hit the back of their heads. Everything worked out for my mother, and the girl was diagnosed with a concussion and prescribed appropriate treatment.
And there was also a case with a neighbor's boy. He was visiting his grandmother and, once, she washed the floor in the hallway, and told him not to leave the room until he was dry. But then the cat Vaska jumped out from under the sofa and rushed into the corridor. Sasha, who had been trying to get the cat for a long time, ran after him, forgetting about his grandmother's warning. He slipped, fell and hit the back of his head hard. At the moment, a big bump jumped out, he cried for five minutes without stopping, either from pain, or from resentment that Vaska again managed to escape. Mom took Sasha to an appointment at a polyclinic, where, on the recommendation of a doctor, they underwent an X-ray. Fortunately, everything worked out. They were prescribed medication to absorb the lump.
Child hit the back of the head, consequences
It is important to know that as a result of a blow, a child may develop certain consequences. Depending on how serious the injury was or with what delay the parents went to the hospital (that is, the help was not provided on time), the following consequences can be distinguished:
- The child has problems with the perception of the environment. What is characteristic: if the blow was inflicted on the left side of the back of the head, then problems will also be observed on the left side.
- The child may become distracted, he will have problems concentrating his attention. That will adversely affect the learning process in kindergarten and school.
- Problems can arise with both short-term and long-term memory.
- The child has disturbed sleep, he constantly does not sleep well, often wakes up, may even cry or be hysterical.
- The child suffers from constant headaches, possibly the appearance of problems with blood pressure.
As a rule, if assistance was provided in a timely manner, almost all possible consequences can be avoided. Of course, if we are talking about traumatic brain injury, then the child cannot do without tangible consequences, the injury is too serious.
First aid
- The first step is to calm down and not panic.
- It is important that the baby is at rest after the impact.
- Examine the site of the injury, check for abrasions and bruises.
- When a hematoma appears, it is necessary to apply a cold or ice object to the site of the injury, but do not forget to first wrap it with a cloth.
- If the bruise is bleeding, you need to disinfect it, for example, with hydrogen peroxide. Use cotton swabs.
- If visual damage is not noticeable, explain to the child that he needs peace and only quiet games now. And watch his health yourself for several days.
- If you have identified any symptoms that characterize the complication of the baby's condition, you need to call an ambulance. It also needs to be done for severe bleeding, fainting, and other alarming symptoms.
- It is important to know that if the baby loses consciousness, he must be placed on the side. It is also important to do this when vomiting is present so that it does not accidentally enter the respiratory system.
- Even if, at first glance, the child is doing well, sometimes it is better to play it safe and go to the doctor's office.
Prevention
Try to do everything possible to make your baby's time as safe as possible:
- Take care of special overlays on the corners of furniture items.
- Wash the floors when your child is not at home or asleep.
- When there is ice on the street, put on the child and on your feet special shoes that will resist falling.
- Get rid of paths in the apartment that can "ride" on the floor, thereby putting the child in danger.
- If the little one moves around the apartment using a walker, watch his movements.
- Do not leave your baby unattended on the bed. If you leave the room, it is best to place him on the floor. At the same time, you need to be absolutely sure that all corners in the room are already safe and nothing poses a threat to the child's health.
- If your baby is learning to skate, rollerblading or cycling, take care of purchasing special equipment, including a helmet.
You already know that you cannot be completely sure that nothing will ever happen to your baby. Children are very active, they like to run, jump, they are not always attentive. Therefore, no one is insured against a possible fall and hitting the back of the head on a hard surface. Remember how to behave in the event of such a bruise in order to alleviate the baby's condition and not allow the consequences to develop.
Girls, came across such an article. Not mine!!! Just for information. Maybe it will be useful to someone, but not to someone. Everyone has their own opinion. So, suddenly someone will come in handy. I found it, since Matvey has now fallen, or rather slipped, A bump on the back of the child's head. formed. I looked for the answer on the internet and found this article. Only now he fell down just before bed, I lulled him, and now I worry, it is said not to let him sleep for 1-1.5 hours. Tell me what?
Often our children fall and we ask ourselves the question: "Should I call an ambulance?" Here, I found an interesting article on one of the sites, about what are the signs of traumatic brain injury and first aid to a child.
Often in a situation where a baby falls out of bed or a changing table, the mother does not know what to do. Should I run to the doctor, call an ambulance or help the child on my own? It all depends on the severity of the injury, but the most important thing is to calm down and think soberly.
Child fell out of bed and hit his head: possible injuries
A blow to the head is inevitable when young children fall. What matters is not exactly where he hit when he fell (forehead or back of the head), but the severity of the brain damage.
A child's body differs in many respects from an adult, the bones of the skull have not completely grown together for up to a year (they are easily displaced), and brain tissue is fragile and immature. All of these factors predispose to more severe brain damage.
All traumatic brain injuries are divided into:
-open (damaged bones and soft tissues)
-closed (when the integrity of the bones of the skull and soft tissues is not violated)
Closed brain injuries are divided into:
-brain concussion
-shiba of the brain
- compression of the brain
With a concussion, there are no changes in the structure of the brain matter, with a bruise, foci of destruction of the medulla appear, and compression appears against the background of a bruise due to rupture of blood vessels or fragments of the skull.
If the child fell and hit his head (back of the head or forehead), there may be a soft tissue injury - the easiest injury, when the brain does not suffer in any way. Then a bump or abrasion occurs at the impact site.
Symptoms suggestive of a brain injury
A concussion is manifested by a short-term loss of consciousness. In children under one year old, it can be difficult to notice. It is possible to assume such a state if some time has passed from the moment of falling to the onset of crying (1-3 minutes). The child can vomit. Up to 3 months, vomiting can be repeated. There is pale skin, perspiration, drowsiness and refusal to eat. Children under one year old do not sleep well the first night after an injury.
With a contusion of the brain, loss of consciousness may be longer (more than an hour), and signs of impaired breathing and cardiac activity may appear.
If a child falls out of bed and falls so that the bones of the skull have been fractured, his condition can be serious. Possible leakage of cerebrospinal fluid (light fluid) or blood from the nose, ear. Bruises appear around the eyes (a symptom of glasses). However, symptoms may appear several hours after the injury.
How to assess the severity of the injury if the child fell and hit his head?
If the child has fallen off the bed (sofa, changing table or other surfaces), you need to closely monitor his condition. In the case when everything ended with 10-15 minutes of crying, and the child's condition has not changed, you do not need to go to the doctor.
If the mother has any doubts that the injury is not dangerous, it is better to call a doctor, since it is safer to ascertain the child's health than to treat the serious consequences later.
For children under 1.5 years old, neurosonography can be done. This procedure is painless, inexpensive and performed using an ultrasound machine. With its help, an increase in intracranial pressure and the presence of life-threatening hemorrhages are determined. At a later age, it will not be possible to do such a study if a large fontanelle is overgrown.
Child fell out of bed - first aid
If a lump appears at the site of the impact, you can apply ice in a napkin or something cold. Magnesia has a resorbing effect, lotions with such a solution should be done 2 times a day.
If there is bleeding, a tissue in the form of a tampon is applied to the wound. If the blood does not stop for more than 15 minutes, you need to call an ambulance.
If the child fell and hit his forehead or the back of his head, then he should not sleep for an hour (this applies to children over a year old), because by the adequacy of his answers and reactions to your questions, you can understand whether the brain has suffered. You can (and should) wake up and check your coordination at night.
The child should be monitored very closely and cared for for 7 days if the doctor is allowed to stay at home. The child needs peace and the absence of visual stress (this is especially true for children over 1.5-2 years old).
Should I call an ambulance if the child fell and hit his head?
In case of loss of consciousness and severe bleeding from the wound, it is necessary to urgently call an ambulance. Before her arrival, it is better to lay the baby on one side, especially if there is vomiting (in this position, he will not choke).
If the child falls from a great height on his head or back, the spine may be injured. Then change the position of the baby very carefully to avoid spinal cord injury.
An ambulance should be called upon the appearance of any of the alarming symptoms:
- deterioration of health
-the child "falls asleep on the go", feels dizzy (this applies to older children)
- cramps or twitching of the muscles of the body
-wide pupils do not constrict from bright light or pupils of different sizes
-sharp pallor
-blood in urine, feces or vomit
-paresis or paralysis of muscles
In severe brain injuries, appropriate treatment is prescribed only after a thorough examination of the child.
Prevention of head injury in children when falling
The situation when a child falls out of bed or changing table most often happens to children under one year old. Therefore, there is no need to leave the baby alone, especially if he has already learned to roll over. Better to leave the child on the floor (not naked, of course).
A changing table is a very dangerous thing, as it has a small area. Therefore, the presence of adults alone is not enough, you need to hold the child with your hand. Better to swaddle your baby on a bed or sofa.
You can put something soft or put pillows on the floor, in case the child does fall out of bed.
Children also “love” to fall out of wheelchairs. Therefore, it is better to purchase lower models and strollers with high sides, not to neglect the fastening of the child.
Falls are frequent when the child begins to walk. This may be due to slippery floors (parquet). The child can wear socks with rubberized inserts (they will not allow slipping). Rugs and rugs should not "run" on the floor, they can also trigger a fall.
I would also like to note the psychological side of the issue. You do not need to feel the fear all the time that the child will fall and hit his head - after all, exactly what happens is what the person is very afraid of. In addition, you can transfer this fear to the child himself.
Child fell out of bed and hit his head: possible injuries
A blow to the head is inevitable when young children fall. What matters is not exactly where he hit when he fell (forehead or back of the head), but the severity of the brain damage.
A child's body differs in many respects from an adult, the bones of the skull have not completely grown together for up to a year (they are easily displaced), and brain tissue is fragile and immature. All of these factors predispose to more severe brain damage.
All traumatic brain injuries are divided into:
- open (damaged bones and soft tissues)
- closed (when the integrity of the bones of the skull and soft tissues is not violated)
Closed brain injuries are divided into:
- brain concussion
- brain contusion
- compression of the brain
With a concussion, there are no changes in the structure of the brain matter, with a bruise, foci of destruction of the medulla appear, and compression appears against the background of a bruise due to rupture of blood vessels or fragments of the skull.
If the child fell and hit his head (back of the head or forehead), there may be a soft tissue injury - the easiest injury, when the brain does not suffer in any way. Then a bump or abrasion occurs at the impact site.
Symptoms suggestive of a brain injury
Brain concussion manifested by short-term loss of consciousness. In children under one year old, it can be difficult to notice. It is possible to assume such a state if some time has passed from the moment of falling to the onset of crying (1-3 minutes). The child can vomit. Up to 3 months, vomiting can be repeated. There is pale skin, perspiration, drowsiness and refusal to eat. Children under one year old on the first night after injury.
With a bruised brain loss of consciousness can be longer (more than an hour), signs of respiratory and cardiac disorders may appear.
If the child fell out of bed and fell so that there was fracture of the skull bones, his condition may be serious. Possible leakage of cerebrospinal fluid (light fluid) or blood from the nose, ear. Bruises appear around the eyes (a symptom of glasses). However, symptoms may appear several hours after the injury.
How to assess the severity of the injury if the child fell and hit his head?
If the child has fallen off the bed (sofa, changing table or other surfaces), you need to closely monitor his condition. In the case when everything ended with 10-15 minutes of crying, and the child's condition has not changed, you do not need to go to the doctor.
If the mother has any doubts that the injury is not dangerous, it is better to call a doctor, since it is safer to ascertain the child's health than to treat the serious consequences later.
For children under 1.5 years old, neurosonography can be done. This procedure is painless, inexpensive and performed using an ultrasound machine. With its help, an increase in intracranial pressure and the presence of life-threatening hemorrhages are determined. At a later age, it will not be possible to do such a study if a large fontanelle is overgrown.
Child fell out of bed - first aid
If it appears at the site of the impact, you can apply ice in a napkin or something cold. Magnesia has a resorbing effect, lotions with such a solution should be done 2 times a day.
If there is bleeding, a tissue in the form of a tampon is applied to the wound. If the blood does not stop for more than 15 minutes, you need to call an ambulance.
If the child fell and hit his forehead or the back of his head, then he should not sleep for an hour (this applies to children over a year old), because by the adequacy of his answers and reactions to your questions, you can understand whether the brain has suffered. You can (and should) wake up and check your coordination at night.
The child should be monitored very closely and cared for for 7 days if the doctor is allowed to stay at home. The child needs peace and the absence of visual stress (this is especially true for children over 1.5-2 years old).
Should I call an ambulance if the child fell and hit his head?
In case of loss of consciousness and severe bleeding from the wound, it is necessary to urgently call an ambulance. Before her arrival, it is better to lay the baby on one side, especially if there is vomiting (in this position, he will not choke).
If the child falls from a great height on his head or back, the spine may be injured. Then change the position of the baby very carefully to avoid spinal cord injury.
An ambulance should be called upon the appearance of any of the alarming symptoms:
- deterioration of health
- the child "falls asleep on the go", feels dizzy (this applies to older children)
- cramps or twitching of body muscles
- wide pupils do not constrict from bright light or pupils of different sizes
- sharp pallor
- blood in urine, feces, or vomit
- muscle paresis or paralysis
In severe brain injuries, appropriate treatment is prescribed only after a thorough examination of the child.
Prevention of head injury in children when falling
The situation when a child falls out of bed or changing table most often happens to children under one year old. Therefore, there is no need to leave the baby alone, especially if he has already learned to roll over. Better to leave the child on the floor (not naked, of course).
A changing table is a very dangerous thing, as it has a small area. Therefore, the presence of adults alone is not enough, you need to hold the child with your hand. Better to swaddle your baby on a bed or sofa.
You can put something soft or put pillows on the floor, in case the child does fall out of bed.
Children also “love” to fall out of wheelchairs. Therefore, it is better to purchase lower models and strollers with high sides, not to neglect the fastening of the child.
Unfortunately, the baby is often on the floor. What are the actions of the parents in this case?
Dangerous height or where a child might fall
A small child is surrounded by care and attention from birth. His relatives do everything possible so that nothing threatens the health of the baby. But even the most attentive mother can make a mistake. Sometimes it is enough to just turn away for a second - and the baby is already on the floor.
The fact is that not everyone correctly understands the possibilities of a crumb. Even a newborn child, making chaotic movements with his arms and legs, may well move to the edge and fall, although the likelihood of this is small.
Particularly dangerous places from which a fall is possible for babies under 6 months old are the changing table, sofa, and also the parents' bed. After six months, the baby begins to actively master new movements, learns to sit, crawl, stand on his feet at the support, and then walk.
At this age, he can fall out of his crib, from a highchair, from a stroller, etc.?
Most often, when falling, babies hit their head: up to 1 year old, the head is the most vulnerable place due to its rather large size and mass in relation to the body. But damage to other parts of the body is also possible. Most often these are bruises, in rare cases - a bone fracture or traumatic brain injury (TBI).
If the child hits his head ...
Head blows in babies under 1 year old are quite frequent, while they do not have to fall at all, because the baby can accidentally hit the surrounding objects or furniture, making active movements. At the same time, basically everything goes without consequences: there is not a head injury, but only a bruise. However, when falling from a height, the likelihood of a traumatic brain injury (HMG) increases many times.
What is TBI?
Traumatic brain injury is a mechanical damage to the bones of the skull and soft tissues of the head (brain, its vessels, cranial nerves, meninges).
Traumatic brain injuries include:
concussion (mild TBI - there are no obvious changes in the structure of the brain, however, functional activity may be impaired);
contusion of the brain of varying severity (accompanied by the destruction of the medulla in a certain area, causes severe functional disorders);
compression of the brain (severe pathology that occurs against the background of a brain injury or rupture of a large blood vessel, which leads to the formation of an intracranial hematoma).
In babies with typical falls, compression of the brain is extremely rare. To get such an injury, the child must fall from a height of at least 2 m or hit a very hard or sharp object.
We assess the situation. Symptoms of traumatic brain injury in a child are not the same as in an adult, which is due to the structural features of the skull and internal structures of the infant's brain. In some cases, a prolonged asymptomatic course of TBI is possible or, conversely, a violent manifestation of symptoms with minimal trauma. This is due to the flexibility of the bones of the skull, their mobility relative to each other in the area of \u200b\u200bthe seams, as well as with the age-related anatomical and physiological features of the brain. The cells of the brain in infants are not yet fully differentiated, i.e. there is no strict division according to the zones of brain functions, therefore, the symptoms are often blurred.
When he hits his head, the baby feels pain, redness appears at the site of the blow. In the future, a slight swelling may develop. If nothing else has alerted you, you should not worry: this is not a head injury, but a contusion of the head tissues. In this case, you need to give the child a cold compress and soothe him. Cold constricts blood vessels, stopping subcutaneous bleeding, has anti-inflammatory and some analgesic effect.
A hot water bottle with ice, a small plastic bottle of cold water, or any cold, non-traumatic object is suitable for the compress. It should be wrapped in a diaper or towel, applied to the site of the injury and held for 10-15 minutes. It is important that the effect of the cold was directed strictly to the bruised area - the surrounding tissues should not be touched. If the child does not allow the compress to be held - he is capricious, dodges, - you can moisten a gauze napkin, bandage or a piece of cloth in cold water and tie it to the damaged area. The dressing should be changed as it warms up for half an hour.
One of the symptoms of a brain injury can be loss of consciousness. But for babies, this phenomenon is quite rare, and often it does not accompany even severe damage. This is due to the underdevelopment of the cerebellum and the vestibular apparatus in general in infants, which are responsible for coordinating movements. You also cannot find out if the baby is experiencing a headache. Thus, the most characteristic signs of traumatic brain injury in infants are:
- loud screaming as a reaction to pain;
- increased physical activity, general anxiety or, conversely, lethargy and increased drowsiness;
- vomiting, refusal to eat;
- pallor of the skin.
These signs are characteristic of a concussion. For a brain injury of varying severity (damage to the medulla itself), in addition to the above (or without them), the following symptoms are characteristic:
- rolling eyes, temporary squint or difference in pupil diameter;
- loss of consciousness (it can be assumed if, after falling, the baby did not scream immediately, but after one or several minutes).
You can assess the consciousness of a child after a fall by three signs:
- Opening the eyes (whether the baby opens his eyes himself, or to a loud sound, or to a painful stimulus, or does not open at all).
- Motor reaction (here it is important to evaluate the baby's movements: is there any physical activity at all, does he move the limbs in the same way, is the tone of individual muscles increased).
- Verbal contact (whether the child is walking, smiling, crying, moaning, or no voice).
Such an assessment can be made a few minutes after the fall, when the baby has already regained consciousness. Normally, he should move normally, walk (or pronounce syllables) and open his eyes in the same way as he always did.
A dangerous symptom is a temporary external improvement, when, after sleep, the child's external signs of trauma, which were previously present, disappear. But after that, the baby's condition may deteriorate sharply.
There are also open craniocerebral injuries, when the integrity of the bones of the skull, and possibly the dura mater, is disrupted. In this case, there is a risk of infection of the brain tissue.
Thus, there are many signs of brain injury. Therefore, parents should be alerted to any deviation from the usual behavior of the baby. You need to see a doctor in any case if the child has fallen and hit his head. If everything is limited to a bruise of the soft tissues of the head without other pathological signs, you need to show the baby to a pediatrician and a neurologist in a polyclinic. In case of symptoms of brain contusion (in particular loss of consciousness and lack of reactions to external stimuli - light, sounds), as well as in case of open traumatic brain injury, an ambulance should be called immediately.
If the blow to the head was not accompanied by the appearance of dangerous symptoms (for example, loss of consciousness), the child should be shown to the pediatrician on the same day or, in extreme cases, the next day after the injury (you can call the doctor at home or bring the baby to the clinic). If necessary, the pediatrician will send the baby for consultation to other doctors (neurologist, traumatologist).
Late seeking medical attention is fraught with the deterioration of the child's condition.
Before the arrival of the doctor
All that a mother can do before the doctor arrives is to calm the baby, put a cold compress on the site of the injury and provide the baby with peace. If a child has an open craniocerebral injury, cover the damaged area with a sterile gauze bandage and call an ambulance immediately. With an open traumatic brain injury, cold should not be applied.
When the doctor arrives, he will examine the child and, if necessary, take you and the baby to the hospital for additional examinations and treatment.
Diagnosis of TBI
The first link in the diagnosis is a doctor's examination. The doctor assesses the general condition of the child, his consciousness, the state of reflexes, motor activity, the integrity of the skull bones. The purpose of further research depends on the preliminary diagnosis after examining the crumbs and on the capabilities of a particular medical institution. Sometimes only one study is enough to make a diagnosis, and sometimes, if doctors have doubts, they have to do several at once.
If the large fontanelle on the top of the baby's head has not yet grown, it is possible to conduct neurosonography in a hospital or clinic - an ultrasound examination of the brain through the large fontanelle. X-ray computed tomography (CT) is widely used in the diagnosis of brain pathologies. Currently, CT is the most reliable method for examining the brain.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is not related to X-rays, but is based on the absorbing capacity of magnetic fields. MRI provides a more contrasting image of brain tissue than CT. However, CT and MRI are rarely prescribed for infants, since one of the conditions for their implementation is complete immobility of the patient, which is almost impossible to provide with a small child. These studies for babies are possible only under anesthesia if absolutely necessary.
Craniography (X-ray of the skull) is performed to assess the integrity of the bones of the skull. Ophthalmoscopy - examination of the fundus - is an additional research method. It allows you to detect signs of increased intracranial pressure, which is important for the diagnosis of intracranial hemorrhage or cerebral edema.
Lumbar puncture is a more reliable diagnostic method for suspected intracranial hemorrhage. CSF is collected with a needle inserted between the spinous processes of the 3rd and 4th lumbar vertebrae. But during the puncture, the child must be motionless, since there is a risk of damage to the brain tissue.
How TBI is treated
Treatment is prescribed based on examination data and clinical studies. For concussion and bruises of the brain, treatment is usually medication. With a concussion, the baby is usually treated at home, and with brain bruises - in a hospital. As a rule, the child is prescribed drugs with anticonvulsant, antispasmodic, hypnotic effects. Also, the baby will be advised to rest for 4-5 days. The word "peace" for a baby should be understood as the absence of new impressions, limiting the number of people around to mom and dad, keeping quiet in the room where the baby is.
Consequences of TBI
After a concussion, the brain usually recovers within 1-3 months without any long-term consequences. In more serious injuries - brain contusions - the consequences depend on the severity of the injury. They can be different - from dizziness and impaired coordination of movements to increased intracranial pressure and epileptic seizures (seizures with loss of consciousness).
Severe trauma can result in psycho-emotional disorders (up to dementia) or movement disorders (for example, inability to perform any movements). With open traumatic brain injuries, there is a risk of infection of the brain tissue (encephalitis) and the development of meningitis - an inflammation of the lining of the brain.
If the kid did not hit his head ...
The first step is to quickly assess the condition of the child and examine the site of the injury. If you saw the very moment of the fall, then it will not be difficult to find the place of possible damage. If you were not around, you should, if possible, calm down and carefully examine the baby.
We assess the situation. The site of the injury can be seen by the characteristic redness that appears in the first seconds after the fall. Over the next few minutes, reddening of the skin may increase, as well as the development of swelling, followed by the formation of a hematoma. A hematoma occurs when a large number of subcutaneous blood vessels rupture from a blow, resulting in an accumulation of liquid blood in the tissues, which has a red-burgundy color. A small hemorrhage cannot be called a hematoma - it's just a bruise (a bruise when a small number of subcutaneous blood vessels are damaged).
When the site of injury is found, you need to immediately apply a cold compress to the baby, as described above - in the section on TBI.
With a normal course, the hematoma decreases every day, and its color changes. Fresh hematoma is dark red, gradually it turns blue, and then yellow. To speed up the resorption of hematoma, you can use heparin-containing ointments that prevent blood clotting and, therefore, have a resorbing effect, or make an iodine mesh, which has a similar effect.
Parents should be alerted to the sudden appearance during the healing period (in the first 2-3 days after the injury) reddening of the skin over the hematoma, general malaise of the baby, rise in body temperature, increasing pain at the site of the injury (in this case, the child will begin to show anxiety, and touching the place hematoma will react with a sharp loud cry). All this may indicate suppuration. In this case, the baby needs to be urgently taken to the surgeon. He will open the hematoma so that the purulent contents can flow out, and apply a bandage.
If, after a fall, the hematoma continues to increase in size, you also need to urgently consult a surgeon, as this may indicate ongoing bleeding. If the baby remains restless with a visible bruise, it is better to consult a doctor, since the crumbs may have a crack in the bone. This phenomenon is more common in young children than fractures. A crack can be suspected when a swelling appears at the site of the impact, as well as if the baby begins to cry when you try to move his injured limb.
When examining the impact site, it is important to determine if there is a fracture. Its signs:
severe pain at the fracture site; if a limb is broken, it will be very painful for the baby to move it;
severe swelling and bruising at the fracture site;
change in the shape or length of a broken limb (shortening or lengthening);
limitation of limb mobility or, conversely, its excessive mobility;
crunch when moving the injured limb.
If one or more of these signs appear, you should call an ambulance. In this case, the injured area should be immobilized if possible, for example, with the help of a stick or plank, tied with any piece of cloth to a broken limb. If the child cannot calm down because of the pain, you can give him an anesthetic based on PARACETAMOL or IBUPROFEN in accordance with the age of the baby and the dosage indicated in the drug's instructions.
If there is an abrasion at the site of the injury (this is possible when falling on an uneven floor), you need to do the following:
- wash the wound with soap under running cool water;
- treat damage with hydrogen peroxide;
- treat the edges of the wound with an antiseptic solution (iodine or brilliant green);
- dry the wound with a gauze cloth;
- apply a sterile bandage: cover the damaged area with a sterile napkin (it can be purchased at the pharmacy - the napkin is sold in a sealed package with the inscription "sterile") and fix it with a bandage or adhesive plaster. If sterile dressings are not available, a bactericidal patch can be used.
Fracture treatment
In the hospital, after examination, the doctor may prescribe an x-ray, and then, depending on the severity of the damage, measures will be taken:
The imposition of a splint - a one-sided plaster in the form of a long strip - consisting of several layers of plaster bandage, which is shaped into a damaged limb and fixed with a bandage (for simple fractures without displacement of bone fragments).
An operation lasting several minutes under general anesthesia, followed by the application of a plaster cast (for fractures with displacement and comminuted fractures). During the operation, bone fragments are compared, which is necessary for a full restoration of function and the absence of complications after a fracture.
When applying a splint, you and your baby will need to visit a traumatologist for examination
once a week - provided that redness does not appear under the bandage and there is no loss of sensitivity of the injured limb. (Parents should be alerted to the paleness, as well as the cold snap of the injured limb relative to other parts of the body).
If an operation is required, you and your baby will have to stay in the hospital for 3-5 days to make sure that everything went well. Then the baby will be discharged home with a plaster cast, and the traumatologist will observe him on an outpatient basis.
The plaster cast, as well as the splint, are removed when the bone is completely fused, which can be controlled by taking an X-ray. Depending on the site of the fracture, the duration of this period can be from 2 weeks (for example, with a fracture of the phalanx of the fingers) to 3 months (with damage to the bones of the lower limb and pelvis).
Prevent injury
As already mentioned, babies fall most often due to the fact that parents underestimate their capabilities. Very young, just-born children also fall - most often due to the fact that mothers leave them on the changing table unattended to run for cream or answer a phone call. Making chaotic movements, the baby is able to move around quite well, therefore, in no case should even a newborn baby be left alone where he can fall. In order not to be absent during a diaper change, changing clothes, etc., prepare everything you need in advance. And if you need to go to the phone or open the door, it is better to take the baby with you or put it in a crib. You should not leave your baby unattended on an adult bed or sofa. Although their height is less than, for example, a changing table, for a small child this may be enough to cause serious injury.
It is also necessary to raise the side of the bed in a timely manner when the baby learns to roll over. And when the child starts to get up, it is necessary to lower the bottom of the crib - preferably to the lowest level so that the baby cannot fall out, bending over the sides.
To be able to leave the baby alone and not be afraid for his safety, you can purchase a playpen or make the floor in the room as safe as possible (remove the wires, put plugs on the sockets, remove all small and traumatic objects, put blockers on boxes that the baby can reach, secure the sharp corners of the furniture).
Statistics show that very often babies fall out of highchairs or strollers. Therefore, when putting a baby on a highchair, you should definitely fasten it with five-point seat belts. A baby stroller should also be equipped with such belts, and you should definitely use them, even if the baby is constantly in your field of vision. Even if the mother is distracted for only a second, there is a risk that the child will fall. And the consequences of a fall, as we have already seen, can be very severe.
The mobility and restlessness of little children give parents troubles and worries. There is no such kid who at least once would not fall and plant a bump on his head.
The baby's skull is quite strong and not always a head injury can cause any serious consequences. However, there are circumstances when a child has a bump, and this fact subsequently negatively affects his health. In any case, parents need to monitor the condition of the crumbs after he fell, and if suspicious signals are detected, take him to the hospital.
How dangerous are head bumps for children?
It is known that the physiology of a young child is arranged in a certain way. The baby's skeletal system is not yet fully formed. At the same time, there is a kind of shock absorption during movement. The baby moves as if on springs, and, stumbling, quickly flies down, while hitting the frontal part or the back of the head.
The baby's head is much heavier than other parts of the body. This factor contributes to the fact that when a fidget falls, it often flies upside down. It is this part of the body of a baby under 2 years of age that is most often covered with hematomas and scratches.
In newborns, on the top of the head there is a so-called large fontanelle (soft, not yet ossified place). The bones of a child's skull are very mobile in the first year of life, so any injury can lead to a brain injury.
If a child bumps his head, what to look for first? First of all, you need to remember that not all head bruises can cause serious consequences in later life, so parents should not panic.
A dangerous factor for a child who has filled a bump is considered to be the impact force, the surface he hit, as well as the location of the injury (we recommend reading :). Dangerous consequences for children's health and life can occur when:
- the baby hit the corner of an object hard with his temple;
- the child fell while rollerblading or cycling, as a result of which he hit the back of his head on the asphalt;
- the crumbs have repeated vomiting;
- there is a periodic loss of consciousness;
- a month old baby hit a fontanelle.
If in older children you can notice certain symptoms of concussion (problems with speech, vision, coordination), then in infants these manifestations cannot be seen. The main symptoms of traumatic brain injury in an infant are vomiting, debilitating crying, restless sleep, hot forehead, and sometimes short-term loss of consciousness (up to 2 minutes).
What to do if the baby hit his head hard: first aid
The coordination of a one-year-old child is just beginning to form, and his attempts to move quickly often end in the appearance of a bump on his forehead (we recommend reading :). If a child bumps his head while “flying” off a merry-go-round, slide, or staircase, parents need to act promptly. First of all, mom should:
- inspect the site of the bruise;
- if a hematoma (lump) is detected, apply a spoon, a piece of ice or another cold object wrapped in a towel to the site of the injury, then anoint with a special ointment (Rescuer, Troxevasin or Bruise-off);
- if there is blood, you need to treat the sore spot with peroxide or other antiseptic.
Regardless of the type of damage, the baby needs to be laid so that its head and spinal column are in the same plane. In case of severe trauma to the skull, the baby should not be allowed to sleep, so the main signs of concussion or cerebral hemorrhage may be overlooked.
If the child vomits, he should be put on his side slowly, without jerking. Before the arrival of the medical team, no pills should be given to the patient.
If a situation arises when the baby fell from the changing dresser or fell asleep on the couch, and then fell to the floor, but there are no visible signs of concussion, the mother should watch the baby for several days. If, over time, spreading swelling, vomiting, poor appetite, pallor of the skin appear, you should seek specialized medical help.
For what symptoms do you need to see a doctor immediately?
Often, little fidgets while playing in parks, on playgrounds, while hanging out on carousels and slides, get various injuries and abrasions. Minor bruises and swelling are not cause for alarm, but treating the bruised area with an antiseptic and applying a cold compress is a mandatory first aid measure.
You should immediately contact a traumatologist in case of head injury in the following cases:- the child's health after falling worsens, he actually falls asleep on the go;
- there is a sharp blanching of the skin;
- cramps and paralysis of the limbs;
- the child has dilated pupils (sometimes one of them is larger than the other);
- dizziness and bouts of vomiting;
- streaks of blood appear in the urine or feces;
- the baby periodically loses consciousness;
- the child is constantly crying, as the pain syndrome does not go away;
- a large edema formed at the site of the impact, rapidly increasing in size;
- the bump does not go away for a long time;
- coordination of movements is impaired;
- body temperature has risen.
Such symptomatology with traumatic brain injuries is characteristic of children of any age. If at least one of the above symptoms is found in a child, you need to immediately go to the emergency room.
On hitting a child with his forehead
The frontal bone of a 5-year-old baby is already strong enough to withstand even significant blows. However, if the crumb beats against the asphalt, concrete or the corner of furniture with great force, then one cannot get rid of a hematoma on the head. The consequences of such a blow are:
- brain injury (characteristic symptoms: loss of consciousness, speech disorder, cyanosis of the skin around the eyes, nasal discharge is possible);
- concussion (symptoms of the condition are dizziness, frequent bouts of vomiting, clouding of mind);
- contusion of soft tissues (it is considered the safest condition after a blow, a swelling or bruise usually forms at the site of the lesion).
Sometimes even an ordinary lump can cause serious illness. If, after two or three days, the lump has become huge, the pain syndrome has intensified, or, conversely, a dent is visualized at the site of the swelling, it is impossible to delay the visit to the emergency room.
When the child hits the back of the head
Impacts to the back of the head can lead to a concussion or traumatic brain injury. Alarms that should alert parents are:
- poor sleep;
- migraine;
- distraction;
- temperature;
- memory impairment;
- disorientation;
- difficult speech;
- numbness of hands and feet.
Dangerous consequences for children's health can be avoided if you do not postpone a visit to a traumatologist. For any fall of the child, adults should take a closer look at the condition of the child after the incident. If, a few hours after an unsuccessful case, uncharacteristic symptoms are found, it is better to seek medical help.
Parents should remember that symptoms of a blow to the forehead or back of the head may not appear immediately, but 2-3 days after the incident. In this case, the child's body temperature may rise.
What are the consequences?
It happens that parents do not attach due importance to the bump on the baby's forehead and are in no hurry to contact the doctors (we recommend reading :). Such frivolous behavior of adults can cause dangerous consequences:
- the appearance of poor sleep (the baby tosses and turns and often wakes up at night);
- violation of the perception of space;
- the occurrence of absent-mindedness, incoherence and serious memory problems (the baby has difficulty remembering new material).
There have been cases when the consequences of a head injury manifested themselves after a few months or even a year. Therefore, it is necessary to act in a timely manner, because the most precious thing is at stake - the health and life of the baby.
How is traumatic brain injury treated?
Critical head injuries are treated permanently. To begin with, the child is sent for examination in order to find out the nature of the lesion and determine the tactics of treatment. During the survey, a number of methods and methods can be applied:
- ultrasound diagnostics of the skull (done for children under 1.5 years old, until the fontanelle is tightened);
- computed and magnetic resonance imaging;
- puncture of the cerebrospinal fluid (to detect intracranial hemorrhage).
In addition, making an accurate diagnosis requires a thorough study of the baby's nervous system, vision and hearing. Also, the doctor needs to evaluate the work of the child's vestibular apparatus.
Treatment of minor brain injuries, like concussion, is carried out in a hospital. The patient is prescribed complex therapy, which is aimed at:
- normalization of intracranial pressure;
- elimination of cerebral edema;
- restoration of metabolism.
An operative method of treatment is necessary if the baby was diagnosed with a compression of the skull or an open head injury. The same therapy is used for cerebral hemorrhage.
Prevention of head injuries
The baby often falls off the changing table or bed. To prevent this dangerous moment, you cannot leave the baby alone, even if he still does not know how to roll over. If the baby was still lying quietly on his back yesterday, twitching only his legs and arms, today he can already roll over onto his stomach and crawl forward.
If the child loves to be on the couch, it is better to put soft pillows on the floor. In which case, such a measure will soften the landing.
The kid learns something new every day. The first steps become a feat for him. Along with this, he falls and is injured. Heading can be avoided if:
- cover the floors with soft non-slip rugs;
- to put on socks with a rubberized sole;
- while walking, do not go far, but it is better to hold the crumbs by the handle.
It is better to choose strollers with high sides, but so that the seat is located low relative to the ground. Make sure that the baby is constantly wearing seat belts, especially if he falls asleep. If you live in a multi-storey building and you need to climb stairwells every day, it is better to teach your child to calmly walk up the steps, holding on to the railing or mother's hand.
When riding a bicycle, scooter or rollerblades, the child must wear protective equipment: knee pads, elbow pads, helmet. Thus, it is possible to exclude the occurrence of dangerous head injuries.
Caring for the baby's health, while he is growing and developing, lies entirely with the parents. By observing simple childcare activities, you can minimize the occurrence of dangerous head injuries.
