home » School » The child hit his head, his head hurts what to do. What to do if the child hit his forehead hard and he got a bump, how long does the hematoma take? Prevention of childhood head injuries

The child hit his head, his head hurts what to do. What to do if the child hit his forehead hard and he got a bump, how long does the hematoma take? Prevention of childhood head injuries

Pediatricians state that the most common in childhood. These statistics have their explanations. In children under 5 years of age, the head is relatively heavy and large in comparison with other parts of the body. Such physiological feature babies affects the coordination of their movements. Just a slight push is enough for the baby to lose balance and fall headfirst.

Fortunately, most falls pass without consequences for the health of the baby and injure only nervous system relatives.

In stock, nature has a number of protective devices that protect the brain from the consequences of falls: fontanelles of the skull, an excess amount of shock-absorbing cerebrospinal fluid, etc.

The task of parents is to be aware of the symptoms that indicate that a head injury is potentially dangerous and requires mandatory treatment for medical care.

Physiological features of the child's brain

The head of a child has a slightly different structure than that of an adult. The bones of the baby's skull are soft and flexible, which avoids serious damage when colliding with a hard surface. During the impact, the elastic bones shift and return to their original position.

Another important feature of the child's brain is its immaturity and high content of cerebrospinal fluid. A child's head is much easier to withstand blows.

Baby fall off couch

Many children under 1 year of age often fall out of bed. At 4 months, the baby is already actively moving lying down, can roll over, tries to crawl. Doctors advise at such a time to constantly monitor the little researcher.

Children at this age cannot yet assess the danger of their actions and roll to the floor in a split second. Even a very attentive mother may not see the baby, turning away for a bottle. And, of course, when falling, the head suffers first.

Toddlers are just learning to use their hands and do not yet have the reflex to put them in front of their heads for protection. According to pediatricians, in most cases there is no cause for concern: the height of the sofas is about 50 cm or even less.

A fall from such a height, as a rule, cannot significantly damage the brain. Worse, falling to the floor, touching the wooden sides of the sofa or other sharp or hard objects.

Rare, but the most unfortunate consequences of a fall of a baby can be a concussion and an open craniocerebral injury.

Observation after the fall

If the child fell and hit his head, it is necessary to observe him within the next 24 hours.

The task of parents is to provide the child with peace and not allow too active games on this day.

If in the first hours after the fall the child does not complain about anything and feels good, then the damage internal organs unlikely, which means there is no reason for panic and indications for ultrasound.

anxiety symptoms

Doctors identify a number of serious signs, regardless of the age of the child, to which parents should pay attention:

  • disturbance of consciousness of any intensity and duration;
  • inappropriate behavior;
  • speech disorder;
  • unusual sleepiness;
  • intense headache that persists for more than one hour after the injury;
  • convulsions;
  • repeated bouts of vomiting;
  • dizziness and/or imbalance that persists for more than one hour after the injury;
  • pupils of different sizes;
  • inability to move an arm or leg, weakness in an arm or leg;
  • the appearance of dark (dark blue) spots under the eyes or behind the ears;
  • bleeding from the nose or ears;
  • discharge of a colorless or bloody fluid from the nose or ears;
  • any violations of the senses (even minor ones).

The presence of at least one of these signs indicates the need for immediate medical attention!

1. Reassure the child.

2. Put the child on the bed in such a position that the spine and head are at the same level.

3. Examine the child for abrasions, bumps and wounds on the head. Observe his reactions and behavior, check for anxiety symptoms as well as signs of external trauma. A limb bruise or dislocation is usually noticeable, if something hurts more, the baby will definitely let you know.

4. Having noticed a swelling bump in the affected area, it is recommended to immediately apply cold compress for three minutes to prevent further formation of severe edema.

Pay attention to the quality of the bud: a tall and firm bud is a good sign.

But if the bump does not appear immediately, but a little later, if it is low, large in area and soft (like jelly), you need to seek urgent medical help.

5. If there is an abrasion, gently wipe it with hydrogen peroxide. In case of bleeding, monitor its duration - if it continues for 10 minutes, call your doctor immediately.

6. If there is vomiting, the baby should be laid on its side so that the discharge easily leaves and does not prevent the victim from breathing normally.

7. Provide peace to the child.

8. If the injury is severe, it is important to keep the child awake until the ambulance arrives. Following this recommendation will also prevent you from missing other symptoms.

10. If you have at least one alarming symptom, you should immediately seek medical help. During the examination, the doctor will be able to determine the severity of the blow and draw a conclusion about the need for hospitalization.

When should you see a doctor, and in what cases can you get by with applying an ice towel? We will talk about this and the alarming symptoms in babies after falls below.

Why do babies hit their heads most often?

Mechanical trauma to the skull is one of the most common reasons why frightened parents turn to traumatology departments. This is by no means due to the children's "stupidity", but because of the special children's anatomy.

The fact is that in babies under the age of five, the head weighs about a quarter of the total body weight. Accordingly, when falling, it hits first. Since there is no self-preservation instinct 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.

They save babies from severe head injuries when falling and “fontanels” that do not grow up to a year, and a large number of cerebrospinal fluid in the cranium, which can cushion the fall.

Fortunately, most falls turn into only fright and bruises in children and spent nerves of parents. And yet, everyone should know the alarming signs in which it is necessary to provide the baby with first aid.

How to recognize the risk of impact?

When babies start crawling and then walking, they very often stumble, hit, fall (and often from a height greater than their height), as a result of which bumps, abrasions, bruises and bruises appear on the head. How exactly can you recognize how dangerous this particular blow or bump is for the health of a fidget? Is it worth showing the child to a pediatrician, neurologist, or immediately go to the emergency department of traumatology?

Forehead injury

If, after falling or hitting an obstacle, the crumbs have a huge bump on their forehead, this is quite normal. Severe swelling is due big amount 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 left unattended - show 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 the 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 back of the skull there are nerve endings that connect the visual center of the brain and the eyeballs.

In addition to vision problems, the child may have impaired coordination of movements, develop a tremor. The probability of neurological deviations in development is high.

First aid for mechanical injuries of the skull

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

If a large bump or hematoma appears on the baby's head

Soothe the baby and apply a cold compress to the bruised area or just a bottle of cold water wrapped in thin cloth. Hold the compress for five minutes and remove it for two to three minutes (to restore blood circulation). This will relieve some pain 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

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

A child older than two years who will tolerate a slight tingle can be disinfected with rubbing alcohol, vodka, or washed with soap and water.

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

If after the fall you did not find any damage

Behave as usual, calm the baby and caress him. Tirelessly observe his behavior - any oddities should alert you. The child may begin to act up, 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 roars, complains of nausea and migraines, faints and is discoordinated after hitting his head, call an ambulance immediately.

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

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

  • Immediately after the fall, soothe the baby and put it in bed, keep him busy with quiet games and stories, read a book. Explain that everything is in order, but now you need to lie down a little calmly.
  • Watch the baby for several hours for the appearance of alarming symptoms. At least three to four hours, do not let us fall asleep: in a dream, you can miss the worsening of the concussion.
  • If the child is very small, wake him up at night and monitor the coordination of movements.
  • Observe the fidget for three to four days: if no warning signs were noticed during this period, then the injury passed without complications.

Bad Signs in a Head Injury

Any bruised skull requires careful long-term monitoring of parents at home or doctors in a hospital. For reinsurance after an injury, if you decide to leave your baby at home, exclude his physical and mental stress: forbid reading, watching TV or playing computer. The exception is quiet classical music. In the event of the complications described below, show the baby to the pediatrician.

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

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

  • a depression (dent) on the forehead instead of the usual bump;
  • bump abnormal big size;
  • vomiting and nausea;
  • dizziness, fainting;
  • uncontrollable crying, hysteria;
  • hard breath;
  • blanching of the skin of the face;
  • cyanosis of the nasolabial triangle;
  • enlarged pupils, the appearance of strabismus;
  • lethargy and lethargy;
  • difficulty speaking;
  • discoordination, stiffness of movements;
  • ear or nose bleeding.

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

Lay the baby on a couch or bed on their back or side (for babies who cannot roll over on their own if they vomit) and do not give any medication on their own: this can make it very difficult for doctors to diagnose.

Anxiety 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;
  • doubling of the 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 a concussion, so they need to be taken seriously.

Toddlers fall back during the beginning of independent movement, with light pushes and loss of balance, while teenagers fall during fights, while rollerblading or regular skating. Older children should be made to wear a helmet to prevent injury.

Possible consequences

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

The consequences of trauma to the frontal part of the skull

Injuries after a blow to the forehead are of several types:

  • Open - soft tissues and bones of the skull are damaged, the injury is accompanied by bleeding and loss of consciousness, pain shock. In these cases, immediate hospitalization is necessary.
  • Closed -soft tissue and the bone is intact. There are varying degrees of severity and require different treatment tactics.
  1. A contusion of the brain is a serious condition, usually accompanied by a prolonged loss of consciousness, nose or ear bleeding. There are bruises 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 a severe trauma to the skull. It is characterized by vomiting and constant nausea, dizziness, cyanosis of the lips and pallor of the skin on the face. In some cases, these symptoms may not be present, but an unusually poor, restless restless night's sleep is a reason to see a doctor. In case of a concussion, a weekly bed rest with minimal brain activity.
  3. Hematoma or bump, accompanied by swelling of the soft tissues. The baby does not cry for long, soon after the pain is eliminated, he calms down and forgets about the incident.

The consequences of trauma to the occipital part of the skull

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

  • distraction, inattention;
  • discoordination of movements on one side (usually on the one where the blow fell);
  • memory impairment;
  • insomnia;
  • the occurrence of persistent migraines.

How to avoid injury?

  1. Never leave a baby on a sofa, bed without sides or a changing table - it can fall instantly. Plant better on the floor or in his crib.
  2. If you are sitting on the couch with a baby, put a couple of large pillows on the floor - this will soften the fall in case of your oversight.
  3. In a stroller or car seat, always fasten your baby with a seat belt.
  4. When the child begins to learn to walk, a dense carpet will come to your aid - the legs do not slip on it, and falling is not so painful.
  5. Get fidget socks with rubber pimples on the sole - this will make it easier for him to walk and prevent falls.
  6. Encourage your child to wear a safety helmet while rollerblading, skating, cycling or scootering.
  7. Protect your apartment as much as possible: buy rubber pads for sharp corners of furniture.

Guys, I came across this 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 come in handy. I found it, since Matvey just fell, or rather slipped, a bump formed on the back of his head. I searched the internet for an answer and found this article. Only now he fell just before bedtime, I lulled him, and now I'm worried, I was told not to let him sleep for 1-1.5 hours. What do you say?

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

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

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

When small children fall, a blow to the head is inevitable. What is important is not exactly which place he hit when he fell (on the forehead or the 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 have not fully fused up to a year (they are easily displaced), and the brain tissues are 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 broken)

Closed brain injuries are divided into:
-brain concussion
- brain injury
- compression of the brain

With a concussion, there are no changes in the structure of the substance of the brain, with a bruise, foci of destruction of the brain substance occur, 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 there is a bump or abrasion at the site of impact.

Symptoms of a brain injury

A concussion of the brain is manifested by a short-term loss of consciousness. In children younger than a year, it can be difficult to notice. It is possible to assume such a state if some time (1-3 minutes) has passed from the moment of falling to the appearance of crying. The child may vomit. Up to 3 months, vomiting can be repeated. There is blanching of the skin, sweating, as well as drowsiness and refusal to eat. Children under one year old do not sleep well the first night after an injury.

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

If a child falls out of bed and falls in such a way that the bones of the skull are fractured, their condition may be severe. Perhaps the outflow of cerebrospinal fluid (clear liquid) or blood from the nose, ear. There are bruises 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 from the bed (sofa, changing table or other surfaces), it is necessary 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 can not go to the doctor.

If the mother has at least some doubt that the injury is not dangerous, it is better to call a doctor, because it is more reliable to make sure that the child is healthy than to treat serious consequences later.

Children under 1.5 years old can do neurosonography. 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. In more late age such a study will not work if a large fontanel is overgrown.

The child fell out of bed - first aid

If a bump appears at the site of impact, you can apply ice in a napkin or something cold. Magnesium has a resolving effect, lotions with such a solution should be done 2 times a day.

In the presence of bleeding, tissue in the form of a tampon is applied to the wound. If the bleeding 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 older than a year), 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 must be monitored very closely and cared for for 7 days if the doctor has allowed to stay at home. The child needs peace and lack of visual stress (especially for children older than 1.5-2 years).

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 urgent to call an ambulance. Before her arrival, it is better to lay the baby on its side, especially if there is vomiting (in this position, it will not choke).

If a child falls from a great height on his head or back, damage to the spine is possible. Then change the position of the baby should be very careful to avoid injury to the spinal cord.

An ambulance should be called when any of the alarming symptoms appear:
- deterioration of well-being
- the child "falls asleep on the go", feels dizzy (this applies to older children)
- spasms or twitching of the muscles of the body
- wide pupils do not constrict from bright light or pupils of different sizes
- severe 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 injuries in children due to falls

The situation when a child falls out of bed or a changing table happens most often with children under one year old. Therefore, you should not 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 mere presence of adults is not enough, you need to hold the child with your hand. It is better to swaddle the baby on the bed or sofa.

You can lay 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, do not neglect fastening the child.

When a child begins to walk, falls are common. The reason for this may be slippery floors (parquet). The child can wear socks with rubberized inserts (they will not let slip). Rugs and rugs should not “ride” on the floor, they can also provoke a fall.

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

Today we will talk about what to do if the child fell and hit the back of the head. In this article, you will find out 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 condition of the peanut. You will also learn how to give 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 with little or no characteristic symptoms. Or maybe it just hurts the place of the bruise. But parents should know when any signs and features appear in the behavior and well-being of the baby, it is necessary to urgently consult a doctor, and sometimes urgently call an ambulance.

  1. The baby's limbs were numb.
  2. In the eyes of the peanut, everything forks.
  3. There was nausea, which may be accompanied by severe vomiting.
  4. Identification of differences in the size of the pupils, short-term twitching of the eyes.
  5. The skin turned pale. A blue tint may appear.
  6. The child cries a lot, do not calm down for more than 15 minutes.
  7. There were seizures.
  8. There was a nosebleed, hemorrhage in the eyes.
  9. Change in coordination of movements, imbalance.
  10. Clear discharge from the ears, mouth, or nose.
  11. It is difficult for the child to turn his head to the side.
  12. Speech retardation.
  13. The child hit the back of the head, the bump grew very large sizes- Definitely see a doctor.

Possible impact results

Parents should be aware of what injuries, in addition to a minor bruise, their child may have as a result of a blow to the back of the head:

  1. Brain injury. This can happen if the child hits the back of the head on the floor. Since in small children the skeletal system is not yet fully formed and not strong enough, and in particular the bones of the skull, a brain bruise may occur after a fall. If the form of such an injury is mild, the doctor will prescribe medication, in case of severe injury - surgery.
  2. 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 medications.
  3. 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.
  4. Traumatic brain injury. Can be closed and open. The treatment process is the longest. Symptoms of the presence of this pathology are severe drowsiness, fainting, vomiting, convulsions.

Once my son fell on 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 went well without medication.

Once, when my friend and her daughter were returning home from kindergarten (in winter), they slipped, fell and hit their heads. Everything worked out for her mother, and the girl was diagnosed with a concussion and appropriate treatment was prescribed.

There was also a case with a neighbor boy. He was visiting his grandmother and one day she washed the floor in the hallway and told him not to leave the room until it was dry. But then the cat Vaska jumped out from under the sofa and rushed into the corridor. Sashenka, 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 about five minutes without stopping, either from pain, or from resentment that Vaska managed to escape again. Mom took Sashenka to an appointment at the clinic, where, on the recommendation of a doctor, they underwent x-rays. Fortunately, everything worked out. They were prescribed medication to dissolve the bumps.

The child hit the back of the head, the consequences

It is important to know that as a result of a blow, the child may develop certain consequences. Depending on how serious the injury was or with what delay the parents went to the hospital (that is, assistance was not provided in time), the following consequences can be distinguished:

  1. The child has problems with the perception of the environment. What is typical: if the blow was delivered from the left side of the back of the head, then problems will also be observed on the left side.
  2. The child may become distracted, he will have trouble concentrating his attention. Which will adversely affect the learning process in kindergarten and school.
  3. There may be problems with both short-term and long-term memory.
  4. The child's sleep is disturbed, he constantly sleeps badly, often wakes up, may even cry or fight in hysterics.
  5. The child is tormented by constant headaches, possibly the appearance of pressure problems.

As a rule, if assistance was provided in a timely manner, it is possible to avoid almost all possible consequences. Of course, if we are talking about a traumatic brain injury, then a child cannot do without tangible consequences, too severe an injury.

First aid

  1. The first step is to calm down and not panic.
  2. It is important that the baby is at rest after the impact.
  3. Examine the site of injury, check for abrasions and bruises.
  4. When a hematoma appears, it is necessary to apply a cold or ice object to the site of the bruise, but do not forget to wrap it with a cloth first.
  5. If the site of injury is bleeding, you need to disinfect it, for example, with hydrogen peroxide. Use cotton swabs.
  6. If visual damage is invisible, explain to the child that he now needs peace and only quiet games. And keep an eye on his well-being for several days.
  7. If you have identified any symptoms that characterize the complication of the baby's condition, you need to call an ambulance. This should also be done with severe bleeding, fainting and other alarming symptoms.
  8. It is important to know that if the baby loses consciousness, it must be put on the barrel. It is also important to do this in the presence of vomiting, so that it does not accidentally get into the path of the respiratory system.
  9. Even if, at first glance, the child is doing well, sometimes it is better to play it safe and go to the doctor.

Prevention

Try to do everything possible to make your child's time as safe as possible:

  1. Take care of special pads on the corners of furniture.
  2. Wash the floors when the child is not at home or he is sleeping.
  3. When there is ice on the street - put on the child and on your feet special shoes that will resist falling.
  4. Get rid of the paths in the apartment, which can "ride" on the floor, thereby endangering the child.
  5. If the little one moves around the apartment with the help of a walker, watch his movements.
  6. Do not leave your baby unattended on the bed. If you leave the room, it is better to put him on the floor. At the same time, you need to be absolutely sure that all the corners in the room are already safe and nothing poses a threat to the health of the child.
  7. If the baby is learning to skate, rollerblade or bike, take care to purchase special equipment, including a helmet.

You already know that you cannot be completely sure that nothing will ever happen to the baby. Children are very active, they like to run, jump, they are not always attentive. Therefore, no one is immune from a possible fall and from hitting the back of the head on a hard surface. Remember how to behave in the event of such an injury in order to alleviate the condition of the baby and prevent the consequences from developing.

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

When small children fall, a blow to the head is inevitable. What is important is not exactly which place he hit when he fell (on the forehead or the 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 have not fully fused up to a year (they are easily displaced), and the brain tissues are 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 broken)

Closed brain injuries are divided into:

  • brain concussion
  • brain contusion
  • brain compression

With a concussion, there are no changes in the structure of the substance of the brain, with a bruise, foci of destruction of the brain substance occur, 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 there is a bump or abrasion at the site of impact.

Symptoms of a brain injury

Brain concussion manifested by a brief loss of consciousness. In children younger than a year, it can be difficult to notice. It is possible to assume such a state if some time (1-3 minutes) has passed from the moment of falling to the appearance of crying. The child may vomit. Up to 3 months, vomiting can be repeated. There is blanching of the skin, sweating, as well as drowsiness and refusal to eat. Children under one year old on the first night after injury.

With a brain injury loss of consciousness may be longer (more than an hour), there may be signs of impaired breathing and cardiac activity.

If the child fell out of bed and fell in such a way that skull fracture his condition may be severe. Perhaps the outflow of cerebrospinal fluid (clear liquid) or blood from the nose, ear. There are bruises 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 from the bed (sofa, changing table or other surfaces), it is necessary 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 can not go to the doctor.

If the mother has at least some doubt that the injury is not dangerous, it is better to call a doctor, because it is more reliable to make sure that the child is healthy than to treat serious consequences later.

Children under 1.5 years old can do neurosonography. 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, such a study will not work if a large fontanel is overgrown.

The child fell out of bed - first aid

If it appears at the site of impact, you can apply ice in a napkin or something cold. Magnesium has a resolving effect, lotions with such a solution should be done 2 times a day.

In the presence of bleeding, tissue in the form of a tampon is applied to the wound. If the bleeding 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 older than a year), 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 must be monitored very closely and cared for for 7 days if the doctor has allowed to stay at home. The child needs peace and lack of visual stress (especially for children older than 1.5-2 years).

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 urgent to call an ambulance. Before her arrival, it is better to lay the baby on its side, especially if there is vomiting (in this position, it will not choke).

If a child falls from a great height on his head or back, damage to the spine is possible. Then change the position of the baby should be very careful to avoid injury to the spinal cord.

An ambulance should be called when any of the alarming symptoms appear:

  • 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
  • severe pallor
  • blood in urine, stool, 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 injuries in children due to falls

The situation when a child falls out of bed or a changing table happens most often with children under one year old. Therefore, you should not 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 mere presence of adults is not enough, you need to hold the child with your hand. It is better to swaddle the baby on the bed or sofa.

You can lay 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, do not neglect fastening the child.



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