Concussion In Children

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

A concussion (kun-KUSH-un) is an injury to the tissues or blood vessels of the brain. It is also called a "closed head injury" or "mild traumatic brain injury" (MTBI). Concussions happen when the soft tissues of the brain are forced against the bone of the skull. The injury can cause the brain to have trouble working normally for a short time. A concussion may happen because of a fall, motor vehicle accident, sports injury, or a blow to the head. Your child may be unconscious ("knocked out") for a short time. A mild concussion is common in childhood, and usually not a serious problem. Your child needs to be carefully watched after a concussion for more serious symptoms.

INSTRUCTIONS:

Medicines:

• Keep a written list of what medicines your child takes, the amounts, and when and why they are taken. Bring the list of your child's medicines or the pill bottles when you visit your child's caregivers. Ask your child's caregiver for more information about the medicines. Do not give any medicines to your child without first asking your child's caregiver. This includes prescriptions, over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, herbs, or food supplements.
  
  
• Always give your child's medicine as directed by caregivers. Call your child's caregiver if you think your child's medicines are not helping. Call if you feel your child is having side effects. Do not quit giving the medicines to your child until you discuss it with your child's caregiver.
  
  
• Give your child acetaminophen (a-seet-a-MIN-oh-fen) or ibuprofen (i-bew-PRO-fen) for headache or neck pain if your caregiver says it is OK.
  
  
• Never give aspirin to your child without first asking your child's caregiver. Giving aspirin to your child when he is ill may cause a very serious illness called Reye's syndrome. Read medicine labels to see if your child's medicine has aspirin.

Keep all appointments:

Ask for more information about where and when to take your child for follow-up visits:

For continuing care, treatments, or home services for your child, ask for information.

Care:

• Waking: Wake your child up as often as his caregiver tells you to, to make sure he awakens normally. After waking your child, ask a few questions to see if he is alert. An example would be to ask your child his name, or what food he likes to eat the most.
  
  
• Ice: Sometimes a blow to the head may cause bruising, swelling, or a cut on your child's skin. A caregiver may suggest that you use ice to decrease your child's pain or swelling. It is best to start using ice right after an injury and up to 24 to 48 hours afterwards. Do not use ice directly on the skin, or for longer than 20 minutes at a time. If ice is not covered or is put on one area of your child's body for too long, it may cause frostbite.
  
  
• Rest: Have your child rest in bed or play quietly for the first 24 hours. Your child may then begin normal activities again after he feels better.
  
  
• Sports: Follow the instructions from your child's caregiver about returning to sports.

CONTACT A CAREGIVER IF:

• Your child is vomiting and cannot keep any liquids down.
  
  
• Your child is harder to wake up than usual.
  
  
• His symptoms or condition gets worse during the first several days after his injury.
  
  
• Your child will not stop crying or will not eat.
  
  
• Your child has headaches that are very bad, or that get worse in the days after the injury.
  
  
• Your child's minor head injury symptoms last longer than six weeks after the injury.

SEEK CARE IMMEDIATELY IF:

• Your child should be seen in an emergency room, doctor's office, or clinic immediately if he shows signs of:
  
  
  • Increasing confusion or a change in personality.
    
    
  • Blood or clear fluid coming out of the ears or nose.
    
    
  • Not knowing where he is, or does not recognize people that are familiar.
    
    
  • New problems with vision (blurry or double vision).
    
    
  • Repeated or forceful vomiting.
    
    
  • Slurred or confused speech.
    
    
  • Your child is an infant and has a bulging soft spot (fontanelle) on his head.
    
    
  • Weakness, loss of feeling, or new problems with coordination (balance and movement).
  
  
• Dial 9-1-1 or 0 (Operator) for an ambulance if your child has any of the following symptoms:
  
  
  • Pupils (black part in the center of the eye) are unequal in size, and this is new for your child.
    
    
  • Seizures (convulsions).
    
    
  • Cannot be woken up.
    
    
  • Stops responding to you or passes out (faints).

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The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

Learn more about Concussion In Children (Aftercare Instructions)