Every child can fall and hit the back of their head. This happens at different ages, be it a month, a year, 2 years old, and under any circumstances, but such a fall often comes as a shock to any mother. Any head injury can lead to the most serious consequences, but if your child falls and hits the back of his head, the main thing is not to panic, but to provide first aid correctly. Today we’ll talk about what to do in such situations and what consequences such blows can cause.

What to expect

Small children are restless, therefore, only after learning to walk, they begin to attract various injuries. Usually these are minor abrasions, bruises, cuts, bumps, but the situation can be much more serious. For example, if a child, by an absurd accident, hits the back of his head on any surface: asphalt, floor, corner, etc.

The baby’s body is not yet so strong, which is why children face frequent fractures. Children's brain tissue is also very fragile and can easily be damaged. Therefore, a strong blow to this area can lead to traumatic brain injury (TBI). This type of damage occurs:

• open (with violation of the integrity of bones and tissues);
• closed (no visible damage).

In turn, closed TBI is divided into the following types:

• bruise of brain tissue;
• concussion;
• brain compression.

If a child hits his forehead or the back of his head, a bruise will be the mildest injury. The brain itself will not be harmed. However, if we are talking about a concussion, or even more so, compression, then everything is much worse. But how can we determine the nature of the baby’s damage? There are several characteristic features of each injury. For example, symptoms of a concussion may include:

1. Loss of consciousness.
2. Vomit.
3. Increased sweating.
4. Pale skin color.
5. Lack of appetite.

If a child falls and hits the back of his head, causing a bruise, you may notice interrupted breathing and irregular heartbeat. With a fracture of the skull and compression of the brain, the appearance of cerebrospinal fluid is noted - a light-colored liquid, and the tissues around the eyes can turn blue.

Symptoms usually take time to appear, so be extremely vigilant. It is better not to go far at all in the first few hours. If the child cries for a quarter of an hour and calms down, then most likely everything is fine and you will not need an ambulance. If you still have doubts and are afraid that you did not notice the absence of damage, it is better to contact a specialist who will examine your baby and tell you what to do next. It is better to be extra vigilant and examine the child than to deal with the consequences of a fracture.

The arriving specialist can examine the baby and refer him for neurosonography. This procedure can be performed on children under one and a half years old whose fontanel has not yet become overgrown. The method is absolutely safe and includes examination using an ultrasound machine. Neurosonography allows you to detect an increase in intracranial pressure, which can lead to unpleasant consequences.

We found out possible troubles and their symptoms that may appear in a child after a fall or blow to the back of the head. Next, we’ll talk about how to provide first aid to your baby for certain injuries.

We provide first aid

First aid in such a situation will depend on the nature of the injuries the child received as a result of the blow. If you have a lump on the back of your head, the first thing you need to do is apply something cold (ice is best). If you have magnesium in your home, you can use it; experts (including Komarovsky) recommend making lotions with it 2 times a day.

Is the child bleeding? You should definitely have gauze swabs at home for this case. However, if the bleeding continues for more than a quarter of an hour, call a specialist. It is important not to let the baby sleep in the first hours after the impact. Try to watch him and talk. Based on his reaction, one can easily determine the presence of brain damage. At night, experts advise waking up the baby and checking the coordination of his movements. If, nevertheless, the fact of injury is recorded, any visual stress is contraindicated for the child for a week.

If the baby has lost consciousness or the bleeding does not stop for a long time, you should urgently call an ambulance. If the child loses consciousness, it is necessary to turn him on his side; this will prevent him from swallowing his tongue and choking when vomiting. When falling from a height onto the back, spinal injuries may also occur; in such cases, the baby’s position should be changed with the utmost caution.

There are a number of symptoms for which an ambulance must be called immediately. Let's list them below:

1. Bad feeling.
2. Dizziness, severe drowsiness.
3. Jerking of limbs, convulsions, paralysis.
4. Pallor of the skin.
5. Vomit, feces, urine mixed with blood.
6. Dilation of the pupils without any reaction to external stimuli.

As you know, it is better to prevent any trouble, so pay special attention to the prevention of such situations. Small children should not be left alone on the changing table, and if you need to leave, it is better to place the child on the floor (of course, not naked). Changing tables are generally very unreliable; a small area often leads to a fall of a baby who has already learned to roll over. Therefore, it is better to carry out swaddling on a soft surface.

A child has hit his head - when should you see a doctor, and in what cases can you get by with applying a towel with ice? We will talk about this and the alarming symptoms in children after falls below.

Why do babies hit their heads most often?

Mechanical injuries to the skull are one of the most common reasons for frightened parents to visit traumatology departments. This is not at all due to children’s “pin-butt”, but due to the special children’s anatomy.

The fact is that in children under the age of five, the head weighs about a quarter of the weight of the entire body. Accordingly, when falling, it hits first. Since there is no instinct of self-preservation yet and coordination is poorly developed, the baby does not put his hands in front of him in flight, hence the increased likelihood of a concussion and other troubles.

Children are saved from severe head injuries when falling by “fontanelles” that do not heal until they are one year old, and a large amount of cerebrospinal fluid in the skull, which can soften the fall.

Fortunately, most falls result only in fear and bruises for children and frayed nerves for parents. And yet, everyone should know the warning signs when it is necessary to provide first aid to the baby.

How to recognize the risk of impact?

When babies begin to crawl and then walk, they very often stumble, hit, fall (and often from a height greater than their height), resulting in bumps, abrasions, hematomas and bruises on the head. How can one accurately recognize how dangerous this particular blow or bump is to a fidget’s health? Should I show my child to a pediatrician, neurologist, or go straight to the emergency department of traumatology?

Frontal head injury

If, after falling or hitting an obstacle, a huge bump on the baby's forehead swells, this is quite normal. Severe swelling is caused by a large number of blood vessels bursting during mechanical trauma in the soft tissues of the skull. Hematomas on the forehead are most often round in shape, they quickly subside and stop bothering the fidget and his parents, in most cases they do not have serious consequences.

However, all this is true for older children; falling and hitting the baby’s head should not be ignored - take the baby to the pediatrician, even if you think that there is no danger. An experienced doctor will examine the baby and reassure the parents.

Trauma to the back of the head

A blow to the back of the head is a serious reason to go to the emergency room of the pediatric traumatology department or to a pediatrician: often such injuries have quite serious consequences. And the younger the baby, the sooner you need to see a doctor; delay can cost the child his sight, because in the occipital part of the skull there are nerve endings connecting the visual center of the brain and the eyeballs.

In addition to vision problems, the child may have impaired coordination of movements and develop tremors. There is a high probability of neurological developmental abnormalities.

First aid for mechanical injuries of the skull

After a fall, do not hesitate to inspect the injured area and assess the severity of the injury. Then provide first aid and, if necessary, call an ambulance. If the lump or cut on the head is very large and looks scary, take a photo of the wound on your mobile phone for the doctor (swelling of the soft tissues on the head can go away very quickly).

If a large lump or hematoma appears on the baby’s head

Calm the baby and apply a cold compress or just a bottle of cold water wrapped in a thin cloth to the injury site. Keep the compress on for five minutes and remove it for two to three minutes (to restore blood circulation). This will ease the pain a little and stop internal bleeding. Then apply the compress again for five minutes. Repeat these steps for about 20-30 minutes - it is during this time that the final formation of the hematoma occurs.

If there is a bleeding abrasion on the forehead or back of the head

Use a sterile cotton swab or a piece of bandage moistened with hydrogen peroxide to treat the abrasion, stop the bleeding by simply pressing a clean, dry bandage onto the wound (press lightly for three to five minutes).

For a child over two years old who can tolerate a slight tingling, the abrasion can be disinfected with rubbing alcohol, vodka, or washed with soap.

If blood continues to flow despite all manipulations, call an ambulance.

If after the fall you find no damage

Behave as usual, calm the baby and caress him. Constantly watch his behavior - any oddities should alert you. The child may begin to be capricious, complain of headaches and nausea, get tired quickly and sleep unusually long - all these are alarm bells indicating a possible concussion or neurological problems.

If your child cries after hitting his head, complains of nausea and migraines, loses consciousness and is uncoordinated, call an ambulance immediately.

How to behave if there is a slight suspicion of a concussion?

If your baby is old enough to explain his condition to his parents (he can tell where he hurts, that he feels nauseous or dizzy), and you see no compelling reason to take him to the doctor, but doubts remain, just watch.

• Immediately after the fall, calm the baby down and put him in bed, keep him busy with quiet games and stories, and read a book. Explain that everything is fine, but now you need to lie still for a while.
• Monitor your baby for several hours for any warning signs. Don't let yourself fall asleep for at least three to four hours: while you sleep, you can miss the worsening condition of a concussion.
• If the child is very young, wake him up at night and monitor his coordination of movements.
• Observe the fidget for three to four days: if no alarming signs were noticed during this period, then the injury passed without complications.

Bad Signs of a Head Injury

Any bruise of the skull requires careful long-term observation by parents at home or doctors in a hospital. To be on the safe side after an injury, if you decide to leave your baby at home, exclude his physical and mental stress: prohibit him from reading, watching TV or playing on the computer. The exception is quiet classical music. If the complications described below occur, take your baby to the pediatrician.

Alarming symptoms after a blow to the frontal part of the skull

After hitting the forehead or falling face down, the baby may experience the following symptoms, indicating dangerous complications:

• a depression (dent) on the forehead instead of the usual bump;
• abnormally large lump;
• vomiting and nausea;
• dizziness, fainting;
• uncontrollable crying, hysterics;
• hard breath;
• paleness of facial skin;
• cyanosis of the nasolabial triangle;
• enlarged pupils, the appearance of strabismus;
• lethargy and lethargy;
• difficulty speaking;
• incoordination, stiffness of movements;
• bleeding from the ear or nose.

If a child exhibits at least one of these symptoms after hitting his head, call an ambulance immediately!

Place your baby on a sofa or bed on his back or side (for babies who are unable to roll over on their side if they vomit) and do not give any medications yourself: this can make it very difficult for doctors to diagnose.

Alarming symptoms after a blow to the back of the head

Occipital mechanical injuries can cause all of the above signs, as well as the following symptoms:

• numbness of the limbs;
• memory loss;
• double image in the eyes;
• loss of consciousness;
• severe headaches and dizziness.

According to statistics, it is the occipital injuries of the skull that most often lead to concussions, so they must be taken seriously.

Kids fall backward when they begin to move independently, with light jolts and loss of balance, while teenagers fall during fights, while roller skating or regular skating. Older children should be required to wear a helmet on their head to prevent injury.

Possible consequences

The head is one of the most important and vulnerable parts of our body, which is why injuries to the skull can have irreversible consequences that cause trouble for a lifetime. After head impacts, the child should be monitored. It is quite possible that he will become whiny, begin to sleep poorly and learn school material worse.

Consequences of injury to the frontal part of the skull

There are several types of injuries after a blow to the forehead:

• Open - soft tissues and bones of the skull are damaged, the injury is accompanied by bleeding and loss of consciousness, painful shock. In these cases, immediate hospitalization is necessary.
• Closed - soft tissue and bone are intact. They come in varying degrees of severity and require different treatment tactics.

1. Brain contusion is a serious condition, usually accompanied by prolonged loss of consciousness, nose or ear bleeding. Bruises appear around the eyes, speech is difficult. One of the facial nerves responsible for facial expressions may be affected.
2. A concussion is a common condition that occurs after severe trauma to the skull. It is characterized by vomiting and constant nausea, dizziness, bluish lips and pale skin on the face. In some cases, these symptoms may not be present, but an unusually poor, restless night's sleep is a reason to consult a doctor. In case of a concussion, a week of bed rest with a minimum of brain activity is prescribed.
3. Hematoma or lump accompanied by soft tissue swelling. The baby does not cry for long; soon after the pain is eliminated, he calms down and forgets about the incident.

Consequences of trauma to the occipital part of the skull

In addition to the above complications, blows to the back of the head can have the following consequences:

• absent-mindedness, inattention;
• incoordination of movements on one side (usually the one where the blow landed);
• memory impairment;
• insomnia;
• the appearance of constant migraines.

How to avoid injuries?

1. Never leave your baby on a sofa, a bed without sides or a changing table - he can instantly fall. It’s better to sit him on the floor or in his crib.
2. If you are sitting on the sofa with a baby, place a couple of large pillows on the floor - this will soften the fall in case of your oversight.
3. Always secure your baby with a seat belt when using a stroller or car seat.
4. When your child begins to learn to walk, a thick carpet will come to your aid - your feet won't slip on it, and falling won't hurt as much.
5. Buy socks with rubber bumps on the soles for your fidget - this will make it easier for him to walk and prevent him from falling.
6. Make your child wear a helmet when rollerblading, skating, biking, or scootering.
7. Make your apartment as safe as possible: buy rubber pads for sharp corners of furniture.

Girls, I came across this article. Not mine!!! Just for information. Maybe it will be useful for some, but not for others. Everyone has their own opinion. So, in case it comes in handy for someone. I found it because Matvey had just fallen, or rather slipped. There was a bump on the back of the child’s head. formed. I looked for the answer on the internet and found this article. Only he fell just before bed, I lulled him to sleep, but now I’m worried, they said not to let him sleep for 1-1.5 hours. What do you say?

Often our children fall and we ask the question: “should we call an ambulance?” Well, I found an interesting article on one of the sites about the signs of traumatic brain injuries and first aid for a child.

Often in a situation where a child falls from a bed or changing table, the mother does not know what to do. Should I run to the doctor, call an ambulance, or help the child myself? It all depends on the severity of the injury, but the most important thing is to calm down and think soberly.

A child fell out of bed and hit his head: possible injuries

When small children fall, hitting their head is inevitable. 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 ways from an adult’s; the bones of the skull are not completely fused until they are one year old (they easily move), and the 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 skull bones and soft tissues is not compromised)

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 brain matter appear, and compression appears against the background of the bruise due to rupture of blood vessels or fragments of the skull.

If a child falls and hits his head (the back of the head or forehead), there may be a soft tissue bruise - the mildest injury when the brain does not suffer in any way. Then a lump or abrasion occurs at the site of the impact.

Symptoms indicating a brain injury

A concussion is manifested by a short-term loss of consciousness. In children under one year old, this can be difficult to notice. This condition can be assumed if some time has passed from the moment of the fall to the appearance of crying (1-3 minutes). The child may vomit. Up to 3 months, vomiting may occur repeatedly. There may be pale skin, sweating, as well as drowsiness and refusal to eat. Children under one year old do not sleep well the first night after injury.

With a brain injury, the loss of consciousness may be longer (more than an hour), and signs of respiratory and cardiac dysfunction may appear.

If a child falls out of bed and falls such that a skull fracture occurs, his condition may be serious. There may be leakage of cerebrospinal fluid (a light liquid) or blood from the nose or 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 an injury if a child falls and hits his head?

If a child falls from a bed (sofa, changing table or other surface), it is necessary to closely monitor his condition. In the case when everything ends with 10-15 minutes of crying, and the child’s condition has not changed, you don’t need to see a doctor.

If the mother has any doubts that the injury is not dangerous, it is better to call a doctor, since it is more reliable to make sure of the child’s health than to treat serious consequences later.

Children under 1.5 years old can have neurosonography. This procedure is painless, inexpensive and performed using an ultrasound machine. It is used to determine increased intracranial pressure and the presence of life-threatening hemorrhages. At a later age, such a study will not be possible if a large fontanel is overgrown.

A 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 resolving effect; lotions with this solution should be done 2 times a day.

If there is bleeding, a cloth in the form of a tampon is applied to the wound. If the bleeding does not stop for more than 15 minutes, you must call an ambulance.

If a child falls and hits his forehead or the back of his head, he should not sleep for an hour (this applies to children over one year old), because by the adequacy of his answers and reactions to your questions, you can understand whether the brain has been damaged. You can (and should) wake up and check your coordination at night.

The child must be monitored very closely and cared for for 7 days if the doctor has allowed him to stay at home. The child needs peace and lack of visual stress (this is especially true for children over 1.5-2 years old).

Should I call an ambulance if my child falls and hits 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 his side, especially if there is vomiting (in this position he will not choke).

If a child falls from a great height on his head or back, the spine may be damaged. Then the baby’s position should be changed very carefully to avoid spinal cord injury.

An ambulance should be called if any of the alarming symptoms appear:
-deterioration in health
- the child “falls asleep on the go”, experiences dizziness (this applies to older children)
- spasms or twitching of body muscles
- wide pupils do not narrow in bright light or pupils of different sizes
-severe pallor
-blood in urine, stool or vomit
-paresis or paralysis of muscles

For severe brain injuries, appropriate treatment is prescribed only after a thorough examination of the child.

Prevention of head injuries in children due to falls

The situation when a child falls from a bed or changing table occurs most often with children under one year old. Therefore, there is no need to leave the baby alone, especially if he has already learned to roll over. It is 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. It is better to swaddle your baby on a bed or sofa.

You can lay down something soft or put pillows on the floor, in case the child does fall out of bed.

Children also “love” to fall out of strollers. Therefore, it is better to purchase lower models and strollers with high sides, and do not neglect to fasten the child.

When a child begins to walk, falls occur frequently. This may be due to slippery floors (parquet). Your child can wear socks with rubberized inserts (they will prevent slipping). Rugs and rugs should not “ride” on the floor; they can also cause a fall.

I would also like to note the psychological side of the issue. There is no need to always be afraid that the child will fall and hit his head - after all, exactly what a person is very afraid of happens. In addition, you can pass this fear on to the child himself.

Often, the mobility and curiosity of children leads, due to parental oversight or accident, to falls and injuries. Such injuries are especially alarming under the age of three, while children cannot accurately describe their feelings and condition, and only external data and approximately the strength of the injury can be assessed if it occurred in front of their parents. The most worrisome are falls with head impacts, since the child’s brain is vulnerable to traumatic impacts, concussions, bruises and other damage. Almost no child grows and develops without falls and minor injuries; he learns about the world and his activity and freedom cannot be limited. But it is important to ensure maximum safety and know why head injuries are dangerous, how to help with them, and which symptoms for certain types of injuries, especially if the baby fell, hit the forehead or back of the head, are dangerous and which are not?

The structure of a child's head

Nature has taken care in advance to protect the child in certain ways in case of possible falls and injuries. At an early age, in order to avoid injury during childbirth, and then partially as they grow, the baby’s head has a special structure. The head at birth is large relative to the body, disproportionate to the rest of the body. And therefore, when babies fall from beds, sofas or changing tables, they fall forward with it. But there are also special positive, compensatory mechanisms.

note

In case of possible falls, if it is not at an extreme height, the brain of babies is relatively reliably protected from injury. The bones of the head are relatively elastic, not completely ossified; at the joints they have sutures, as well as a fontanelle, which, due to its elasticity, can compensate for changes in pressure in the cranial cavity.

The brain itself is surrounded by hard, soft and arachnoid membranes, floating in a liquid that compensates for shocks to a certain extent. These environments absorb the impact force quite strongly, so either a large impact force or a high altitude is needed for a young child to receive dangerous brain damage.

Hazardous surfaces and falls

For a baby, falls from a height equal to or less than his own height can be considered relatively safe. That is, this distance is about 50-60 cm. In addition, it is important, how the child did it, whether acceleration was imparted to the body or whether it was a fall under the influence of its own weight. The surfaces on which the head lands during falls are also important.

As the baby grows and begins to walk, falls occur:

• from your own height when walking and running,
• when walking in a walker, jumping in jumpers,
• when riding on gurneys, children's bicycles, sleds
• from chairs, when climbing on them,
• elements of furniture, when trying to climb higher,
• various sports equipment, outdoor slides, swings and carousels.

There are many options for falls, but the higher the distance from the place of the fall to the surface on which the child lands, and the denser and harder this surface, the more dangerous the injury.

note

If the fall occurred on a carpet or carpet, it will partially mitigate the injury, but if it is tile, linoleum or uneven surfaces, it is worse.

The likelihood of falls and injuries is directly proportional to the age of the young “pilot”. In early relapse (the first six months), falls are possible due to oversight or negligence of parents who left the baby unattended, or due to improper care, rough care and education, or domestic violence.

When learning to roll from side to side and gradually master crawling, pulling oneself up with one's hands, falls from sofas and beds are likely; for the most part, such falls are accompanied more by the fear of parents than by really dangerous injuries to children. Further, as you master walking. the risk of falls increases and vigilance needs to be increased. From the moment they master the space on their own two feet, when children are already walking, running and jumping, climbing everywhere, you need to increase your vigilance to the maximum.

note

Remember, even in your own home, let alone on the street, a child can receive dangerous and even fatal injuries. Plastic windows with mosquito nets are especially dangerous in the warm season. They will not support the weight of a child who, having climbed onto the windowsill, can lean on them. This threatens the death of the baby who fell out of the window.

But this does not mean at all that the baby needs to be locked within four walls and not allowed to actively develop and explore the space. We must be alert and on the alert.

For children under three years of age, the arm's length rule must apply; in dangerous places, the baby must be within the reach of the parents so that, if necessary, they have time to secure him.

The child hit his head: what to do?

The first thing to do if a child falls and hits his head is not to panic and not to scare the child with your actions even more. Often, after a fall or injury, children cry more from fear and surprise than from pain. If there is only a small bump in the area of ​​impact, the child is conscious and quickly calmed down, you need to create an atmosphere of peace around him, as if nothing had happened . You should not let him scream loudly, jump and run a lot, observing his behavior and general condition. The first 24 hours are important in assessing the injury if a dangerous fall is suspected. There are different types of injuries depending on their location, and this makes them different in tactics.

What to do if a child hits his forehead

Often, when struck in the frontal area, where the tissues are very pliable and richly supplied with blood, bumps appear. It's not dangerous, but it can be scary for parents. At the site of injury, small capillaries may burst, causing blood to leak into the tissue, forming bruising and swelling. There are many subcutaneous vessels in this area, as elsewhere on the face, which is why the swelling can be pronounced and severe, but the bone itself is strong enough, so most such injuries have no consequences . However, the age of the baby is important; if it is an infant in the first months of life, and he has a hematoma on his forehead, it is worth showing the baby to a doctor to assess the extent of the injury.

What to do if a child hits the back of his head

Falls on your back and blows to the back of the head are more dangerous than the previous ones, It is important to show the child to a doctor in case of such an injury, because usually such falls occur from a sufficient height.

note

With such impacts, vision, coordination of movement and other functions may be impaired; there are many important centers of the brain in the occipital zone of the cortex. Such a fall with the formation of a lump is especially dangerous if the child experiences weakness and lethargy, trembling in the legs, etc.

If this happens, you should immediately call an ambulance. Such injuries in the area of ​​fairly soft and pliable bones of the occipital zone can lead to skull cracks and concussions, brain contusions.

Traumatic brain injury in children

If there is a head injury, it is important to closely monitor the child and identify dangerous symptoms that may indicate the presence of a head injury. In this case, the role of the parents is great; they know the characteristics of the child well and will immediately notice deviations in his behavior and condition. The gender and age of the child are relative, as opposed to the height from which the child falls. The size of the bruise or lump that forms does not always correlate with the severity of the injury, as well as the presence or absence of blood, abrasions, and skin damage.

Signs such as:

• Clouding of consciousness or loss of consciousness, even if it was short, literally a few seconds.
• Any inappropriate actions and behavior, abnormal crying and screaming
• Disturbance in falling asleep, unusually long and deep sleep after a stroke
• , if the baby is older, attempts to grab the head that do not go away for several hours.
• Sudden or profuse regurgitation without fever or signs of infection
• Uncertain gait, swaying to the sides, problems with coordination of movements
• General convulsions or twitching of limbs
• Severe weakness in an arm or leg, an arm or leg hanging with a whip, movement disorders on one side.
• The appearance of bloody or bloody discharge from the ear or nose.
• Decreased hearing or vision, different size icons, squinting of one or both eyes, impaired muscle tone in the face, sagging of part of the face
• Coldness of the extremities, a sharp change in skin color (redness, pallor, marbling), especially on certain parts of the body.

All these symptoms indicate brain damage of varying severity.. The appearance of any, even one of them, is a reason to immediately call an ambulance and hospitalization in a hospital with a full examination. Based on the severity of the injury, head injuries can be divided into concussion, contusion and compression; their clinical symptoms vary, as well as severity and prognosis for subsequent health and life.

Signs of a concussion in children

It is believed that this is a relatively simple and mild injury (but this is for doctors and treatment in a hospital). What is typical for him is a short-term disturbance of consciousness, loss of consciousness for no more than 5 minutes. There may be seizures and vomiting and dizziness. There is no damage to the brain, it simply experiences a kind of shock, which causes “interference in the air,” that is, the work of certain brain centers or cells is temporarily disrupted. Usually all brain functions return to normal within a week. The basis of treatment for a concussion is observation and rest, taking vitamins.

Signs of brain contusion in children

Brain contusion is a more serious injury; it affects the membranes of the brain and its substance itself, deep subcortical structures, blood vessels with the possible formation of hematomas, the formation of pronounced edema-swelling of the brain. In many ways, the prognosis and further treatment tactics will be influenced by the fact how long the loss of consciousness was. Based on the severity of brain contusions, doctors sometimes divide them into three stages, based on the duration of the unconscious period. If it is a mild bruise, consciousness usually returns within five minutes; with moderate severity, the unconscious state lasts from 10 minutes to an hour (give or take); with a severe brain bruise, consciousness may not return for several hours, or even days, even weeks - coma occurs.

What is brain compression in children

Compression of the brain is usually formed against the background of damage to the bones of the skull, compression is formed inside its cavity, and the normal anatomical relationship of the brain, its membranes and bones is disrupted. With such a pathology, there may be cerebral vomiting due to increased intracranial pressure, periodic loss of consciousness with the appearance of “light” gaps. During this time, the child may behave quite normally, without showing signs that he has problems with the brain. They last up to two days, after which coma may occur.

Consequences of TBI can vary depending on which centers are damaged, how dangerous the injury was, how first aid was provided, and then treatment was carried out. If there is a bruise or compression of the brain without proper medical treatment, death is possible. Therefore, it is important that parents know how to provide first aid, recognize dangerous symptoms and consult a doctor in a timely manner without attempting self-medication.

Alena Paretskaya, pediatrician, medical columnist

Navigation

In childhood, any baby often falls and hits hard surfaces. Due to the structure of the body, a significant proportion of injuries occur in the head. In most cases, this is not accompanied by adverse consequences. Still, parents are advised to know what to look for if their child hits their head and when to seek medical help. It is important to understand that if a baby stumbles in the bathroom and hits the tiles or falls down a slide, this is much more dangerous than falling on the carpet or colliding with a cabinet door. Particular attention should be paid to cases of damage to the back of the head or temporal region, situations when a heavy object fell on the child’s head.

What could be the consequences if a child hits his head?

Regardless of whether the baby fell out of bed on his back or hit his forehead on the edge of the table, he must be shown to a doctor.

Symptoms of head injuries can be obvious or subtle, and sometimes they are absent altogether. Even unusual activity of a baby may indicate a serious problem that requires professional intervention. Complications of head injuries can occur several days, weeks and even years after the injury.

How dangerous are head impacts in young children?

A head injury in a child under one year of age is usually not dangerous. In this period The baby’s brain is protected as much as possible by nature. Due to the relative softness of the skull bones, the dynamic sutures between them and the shock-absorbing properties of the cerebrospinal fluid, serious damage is practically excluded. When a newborn is injured, he may not even notice it. Children over six months old after a blow begin to scream and cry a lot, but most often this is not a reaction to pain, but to an unexpected movement in space. If a few minutes after knocking, the child calms down and continues to behave as usual, this is a very good sign.

Although there is no reason to panic in most situations, it is better not to risk it and visit a doctor. He will assess the patient's condition and check his reflexes. Both a month-old baby and an older baby need rest in any case after an injury. You should not put him to bed, but at least for 1-2 hours you need to give up excessive activity, eliminate exposure to bright light and loud sounds on the child’s body. Despite the degree of protection of the brain in the first year of life, everything possible must be done to ensure that the baby has to hit his head as little as possible.

Symptoms of head injury

Newborns are constantly under the supervision of their parents, the level of their activity is very
limited. This allows you to monitor the baby and notice all cases of injury. When an older child falls and hits his head, it may escape the attention of adults. Sometimes children get so carried away that they simply forget to talk about the injury. A bump on the head from a blow is not the only evidence of an accident. There are several points that should alert you and become a prerequisite for a visit to the doctor.

If a child hits their head, this can manifest itself in different ways:

• a hematoma appears - it looks like a bruise or bump, can cause discomfort to a small patient or be practically invisible;
• there are traces of dissection - in some cases it is a small scratch, in others it is a deep and bleeding cut;
• There are no external consequences, but there are changes in the baby’s behavior and condition – poor coordination of movements, mood swings, nausea and vomiting, different reactions of the pupils, drowsiness and much more.

The baby may fall on the carpet and not react to the situation in any way, and the consequences will be serious. It is better not to risk his health and at the first opportunity to visit a doctor who will eliminate any possibility of complications.

Consequences of a bruise

A blow to the floor or other hard surface can result in open and closed wounds. In the first case, there is a violation of the integrity of the skin, and bone damage may occur. Closed injuries are diagnosed when there is no blood on the surface of the affected area. Contrary to popular belief, the latter scenario is not always less dangerous.

The consequences of a bruise are as follows:

• damage to the skin and subcutaneous tissue - this can be a bruise, bump, cut. A bruise of the soft tissues of the head without bleeding usually has no consequences. The presence of an open wound requires immediate treatment to prevent infection;
• concussion is extremely rare in infants due to natural protective mechanisms. The condition has a characteristic clinical picture and requires medical attention;
• Brain contusion is a serious injury that may be accompanied by a short-term loss of consciousness. A child does not necessarily have a headache after a blow. The development of the condition is indicated by the patient’s sallow complexion, darkening of the skin around the eyes, the appearance of blood from the ears or nose, changes in facial expressions, and deterioration in speech;
• Compression of the brain is another dangerous condition that develops against the background of compression inside the skull. Accompanied by profuse and repeated vomiting. Periods of “enlightenment,” when the baby behaves as usual, are followed by moments of loss of consciousness.

The presence of one of the consequences does not exclude the presence of the others. A cut or bump on a child’s head after a fall does not mean that everything went well. If the patient experiences impaired consciousness, problems with coordination, or a fever, it is necessary to urgently call a doctor.

How does a baby get a bump?

When the head is bruised, the vessels located in the soft tissues burst. Blood collects in the thickness of the skin and a hematoma forms. It can be slightly soft or very dense, in different sizes and colors.

The frontal part of the head has the densest capillary network, so the largest and most voluminous cones are formed in this area. At the same time, they are considered the most harmless, because... The frontal bone is the strongest of the components of the skull. Such formations most often resolve on their own, without negative consequences for the body.

Concussion

It is observed after the child has hit his head hard, and the location of the injury does not matter. This is the simplest of all traumatic brain injuries. It is characterized by a short-term loss of consciousness immediately after the impact or some time after it.

Learn more about how to recognize the symptoms of a concussion in

The clinical picture is accompanied by nausea, dizziness, and vomiting. Due to the mobility of the skull bones and shock absorption, concussions in newborns are extremely rare. In this case, a sign of injury is the baby's restless crying and screaming. The baby may refuse food, burp often, and be capricious for no reason.

The brain does not suffer after the blow that led to the concussion. In it, the functioning of a number of cells is only temporarily disrupted, which leads to the listed consequences. After 2-3 days, the patient’s condition returns to normal, but with this injury, bed rest and rest for 7-10 days are still indicated.

What to do if your child hits his head

Head injuries in childhood are almost inevitable, so adults need to know how to react to them. There is no need to panic; you need to act quickly, clearly and in accordance with the specifics of the situation. If there is such a possibility, it is better to immediately call a doctor or an ambulance, which will eliminate the possibility of negative developments.

First aid in the absence of visible damage

First you need to establish what and what part of the skull the baby hit, and assess his general condition. The affected area begins to swell very quickly; cold should be applied to it. This could be a handkerchief soaked in cold water, a bottle of drink from the refrigerator, or frozen food wrapped in a cloth. Keep the compress for 5 minutes.

After a blow, children often begin to have real hysterics. In most cases, first aid for hitting their head comes down to calming the child. A loud cry is not an indicator of severe pain; most often it is the result of fear. The main thing for parents is to remain calm; this will allow them to quickly find out all the circumstances of the accident and begin providing assistance. After the baby has calmed down, you need to limit his activity for 1-2 days. If the baby falls asleep soon after the injury, he should be woken up every three hours and asked simple questions to exclude changes in consciousness due to serious injuries.

When to see a doctor after a child falls

If a child hits the back of the head or temple, this requires mandatory consultation with a professional. In the first case, there is a high probability of brain damage, in the second there is a danger of violating the integrity of the skull bones. There is no need to go to the hospital after every accident, but after a severe impact it is better to do so, even if there are no external signs of damage.

Indications for visiting a doctor or calling an ambulance:

• weakness, dizziness, drowsiness;
• the appearance on the surface of the impact is not a bump, but a dent;
• nausea and vomiting;
• prolonged crying, anxiety and severe agitation of the patient;
• pallor, blue lips, heavy breathing;
• enlarged pupils, their different sizes, squint;
• lethargy of the baby, problems with speech;
• bleeding from the nose or ears;
• large hematoma;
• numbness of the limbs;
• even short-term loss of consciousness;
• memory loss, double vision.

Which doctor you see for an injury depends on the type of injury. If this is a cut or a frighteningly large lump, you can visit a surgeon. The specialist will treat the affected area and check the patient for neurological disorders. When it is necessary to exclude the possibility of brain damage, it is better to immediately go to a neurologist.

Drug treatment

Head injuries that result in brain damage require specific therapy. It is strictly forbidden to give your child medications to relieve headaches after a blow. The drugs are selected by the doctor based on the diagnosis. Their action can be aimed at reducing swelling, relieving pain or inflammation, preventing neurological symptoms, and eliminating nausea and vomiting. Parents may only use hydrogen peroxide to disinfect the wound before applying a bandage.

Medicines to get rid of lumps

To speed up the resorption of the lump, you can use traditional methods and pharmaceutical medicines. A good effect is achieved by treating the surface with a mixture of iodine and medical alcohol - the drugs are taken in equal quantities. You can also buy “Troxevasin”, “Rescuer” or “Troxerutin” gels and heparin ointment at the pharmacy.

Plants that help with bruises

If a child was injured while relaxing in nature or at the dacha, and there was no first aid kit at hand, you can use natural medicines. Juice obtained from fresh green onions will help with bruises. The liquid is applied directly to the sore spot or used to prepare a compress. Plantain leaves are applied to areas of scratches, abrasions or small cuts. Just first you need to mash them slightly so that they release the juice. Wormwood has anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. Fresh grass is crushed, mixed with water to form a paste and applied to the hematomas.

Head injuries are dangerous not only in the acute period. Their negative consequences can manifest themselves months and years after the impact. Even if your child does not have the symptoms listed above, it is worth visiting a doctor to make sure there are no risks to his health. At a minimum, you should observe the baby’s behavior for 2-3 days and evaluate the quality of his sleep. It is better to report any alarming moments to a specialist.