Head trauma in children what to do to avoid them

Head trauma can touch the skull shells( skin, subcutaneous tissue, muscles), bones of the skull or structures located in the skull( brain and blood vessels).Fortunately, most head injuries in children are light, superficial. Only 3-5% of children who fall after the trauma in the emergency department have damage to the intracranial structures, and about 1% of them require surgical treatment.

In what situations are head injuries most likely?

Injuries in newborns and young children are associated almost exclusively with insufficient childcare. In the group of injuries, at this age, the hematomas of the membranes, the fractures of the skull that result from the fall during bathing, the injury from the impact on the railing of the crib and falling out of the stroller prevail. In children, neurological symptoms associated with intracranial trauma are often long absent, and then develop suddenly. Therefore, do not underestimate any external injuries - abrasions, bruises on the skin or subcutaneous hematomas should be an occasion to call a doctor.

A brain concussion is often associated with a head injury. How does it manifest in infants and young children?

Symptoms of concussion in children are not typical. As a result, trauma can occur: frequent vomiting, drowsiness and pallor. In infancy, the most common complication of head trauma is chronic subdural hematoma. There is an increase in the circumference of the head, intrusive headache, numbness of the crown. The child can not tell about his ailments, but the headache is manifested by irritability, tears and vomiting.

Head injuries, most often, occur in older children. In what situations do they occur, and what symptoms should parents worry about?

The most common cause of injury in school-age children can be to knock down accidents and exercise. Injuries in boys are more common( more than 60%).It should be noted that traumatic brain damage is the main cause of death and acquired neurological disorders in children. The criterion for dividing injuries into the lungs and severe is the degree of impairment of consciousness. In the lungs bruises children are aware, but more sleepy. In severe - there is a loss of consciousness and other manifestations. Foci of coordination trauma is the occurrence of an additional intracranial volume( most often brain edema), bruising or the formation of intracranial hematoma. If a child is injured, first of all, it is necessary to assess his condition.

What are the criteria to be guided by?

An assessment of the child's condition is conducted in relation to his behavior and reactions after an injury. If there are no worrisome symptoms, and the only trail of a bruise is swelling, bruising under the skin or scratching the skin, a doctor's consultation is usually not required. At the child in a good condition and consciousness, it is necessary to apply a cold compress, which is applied to the place of impact. If there is bleeding from abrasion, on the skin or wounds, you should wear a sterile bandage and lightly press the injured place for 10 minutes. In case of heavy bleeding, you should consult a doctor, for the purpose of suturing. Foreign bodies inside the wound, do not remove it yourself. If the child is unconscious, use artificial respiration and call an ambulance, or immediately go to the hospital. Of course, a quick doctor's consultation is also necessary when we notice the occurrence of such symptoms as:

• Loss of consciousness;
• From the moment of injury the child has problems with understanding( speech is indistinct, incomprehensible);
• Disturbance of sensitivity of any part of the body;
• Disturbances of gait or balance;
• Visual impairment;
• There is a leakage of clear liquid or blood from the nose or ears;
• Presence of bruises in the eye area;
• Large hematomas in the skull shells;
• Cramps occur;
• The size of the pupils is asymmetric;
• The strength of the injury was large( a traffic accident, a fall from a height of 1 m or more).

The child also requires an urgent examination in the emergency room if the following symptoms occur:

• Memory impairment;
• Forgetfulness of an event or circumstance as a result of which an injury occurred;
• Other memory impairments( multiple asking the same questions, inability to memorize);
• Severe headache, vomiting, excessive agitation;
• Lack of adequate interest in the environment;

Do visits at the front desk often end up in a hospital?

The criteria governing the abandonment of a child in a medical facility are:

• Observations indicating a loss of consciousness;
• Coma, convulsions, any disorders of consciousness;
• Focal neurological symptoms, persistent vomiting, persistent complaints of severe headache;
• Lack of ability to provide care for the child and other disorders or injuries that could endanger the life or health of the child;

Determining whether there are consequences of a head injury is based on neurological studies of patients, as well as on additional analyzes.

Head injuries can often be avoided.

To avoid head injuries, prophylaxis in infancy should mainly involve parents' awareness. In most cases, head trauma in children occurs after the child falls from a changing table, bed or at the time of falling out of the stroller. Therefore, we never leave the kids alone, even for a minute, close the bed, insure the wheelchair. The child's walk is initially awkward, and in the absence of a well-developed sense of balance, falls often occur. The strength of such a trauma is not large and the consequences of falls are most often harmless. Much more dangerous, are strokes about furniture, therefore, it is necessary to protect the child from hard edges.

Serious injuries from road traffic accidents.

It is assumed that the correct use of child seats, seat belts and airbags can reduce the risk of fatal and severe head injuries by about 45-55%.Parents should be aware of the benefits arising from the use of seat belts and car seats for children, as well as safe behavior on the road. Hundreds of thousands of light, moderate, severe and fatal head injuries, which are also found in many sports, occur as a result of entertainment. The wide use of protective helmets for children who ride bicycles, skates, skateboards, soccer players who practice skiing or riding can greatly reduce the risk of fatalities and the severity of the injury. The issue is extremely important for health workers who must support and popularize various types of educational activities and preventive measures that reduce the incidence of head injuries in children.

What can cause a head injury in a child?

Forecasts for head injuries are very different. Depending on the severity and extent of brain damage, there are various neurological deficits, memory disorders, epileptic seizures, emotional and psychosocial disorders. Some injuries lead to death, and in other cases the child returns to full health or moderate disabilities in cognitive or motor functions remain. Some children encounter school difficulties, which cause psychological and psychiatric problems.