Focused On Helping Brain Injury Victims And Their Families

Do you know what to do if your child suffers a concussion?

On Behalf of | Jan 4, 2016 | Brain Injury

According to a 2015 Harris Poll, 37 percent of parents in the study said they would not know what to do if their children had a concussion. In addition, the poll showed that 78 percent of people do not know the signs of a concussion.

Concussions can be more serious than people realize. They are mild traumatic brain injuries that can have serious complications, including post-concussion syndrome, possible progressive impairments and epilepsy. Parents need to be informed about the symptoms so they can protect their children’s health.

Young children are especially difficult to diagnose with concussions. The Mayo Clinic recommends that parents of infants and toddlers watch for signs such as:

  • Listlessness
  • Irritability
  • Becoming tired more quickly
  • Seeming to be dazed
  • Crying more than usual
  • Loss of balance
  • Disruption of the child’s eating or sleeping habits
  • Not wanting to play with favorite toys

In older children, the symptoms are much the same as they are in adults: nausea, headaches, dizziness, confusion, memory loss, blurry vision and mood/personality changes.

If your child shows any symptoms, seek medical care immediately.

If your child has experienced any trauma that affected the head or caused a blow to the body, you should call your pediatrician, even if you don’t see symptoms. A fall, car accident or sports injury can cause a concussion. Your child may not show symptoms immediately, so watch closely for symptoms in the days that follow.

Did another person’s negligence cause your child’s head injury? You may have a personal injury case. Speaking with a lawyer will give you answers you need.

Source: Brain Injury Association of America (www.biausa.org)