Dealing with a traumatic brain injury can be a terrifying experience for adults, but handling one in children can be even more stressful. Because kids are sometimes unable to locate the source of their pain or express their feelings to you, it is important to be aware of the signs of concussion in children, especially young toddlers and babies who cannot speak yet and are prone to falls. In fact, Stanford Children’s Health states that there are an estimated half a million hospital visits for traumatic brain injury for children 13 years of age and younger per year. Head trauma is considered a leading cause of children’s death and disability, making it extremely important to know the signs of concussion.
Excessive crying
The Mayo Clinic states that a baby’s way of communicating to an adult that he or she is in pain may be excessive crying. While children can cry for many different reasons, it can be a clue for head trauma when seen with other signs. If the child spends time in a caregiver’s home, the parent may not know what happened and will not realize there has been an accident, making it especially important to watch carefully for any possible signs.
Unsteadiness and imbalance
While adults may report feeling dizzy, a child may not recognize what the feeling is. Often, you will only notice the effects of the dizziness, such as a loss of balance. If your child’s unsteadiness seems excessive, you may be dealing with a traumatic brain injury.
Disrupted patterns
While growth spurts and environment changes can disrupt sleeping and eating patterns, untreated head trauma can also cause a disruption. If noticed with any other symptoms, you should call your doctor immediately.
Fatigue, irritability and dazedness
There are many different factors that can lead to a child being excessively tired or grumpy, but head trauma should not be overlooked as a possibility. If you notice your child acting strange, keep a close eye on him or her to watch for additional signs.
If you know that your child suffered a head injury, there are certain signs that necessitate an immediate trip to the emergency room. These include the following:
- Changes and slurs in speech
- More than 30 seconds of lost consciousness
- Seizures
- Frequent vomiting
- Changes in pupil size
- Persistent headache
If your child is exhibiting any of these symptoms, the first course of action is to secure proper medical attention. Once you ensure your child’s health is taken care of, contact an attorney who specializes in personal injuries to receive the necessary support required to care for your family.
