by David M. McKalip, M.D., Brain and Spine Neurosurgeon
Tweet This: Help! A Bump on the Head! Important #tips on kids’ Brain Injury by leading neurosurgeon http://bit.ly/bnElqd #workmom news
As a parent to three beautiful children, I know that not one of them came with a user’s manual. For that reason, there is a deep-rooted desire as a parent to be at least introduced to some tips and advice on what a parent should know – especially when it comes to brain injuries.
One of the most common types of brain injury is a concussion. This is one of those injuries that you hear a lot about – but you’re never quite sure what the facts are about them or what to do when confronted with an incident. So what’s the biggest cause? Sports. Kids love to play and who can blame them? But multiple concussions can have cumulative and long lasting life affects.
It is important to keep the following things in mind if your child experiences a blow to the head but you did not witness the incident:
Don’t pass “Go,” don’t collect $200…
When you should go directly to the emergency room…
If your child gets hit in the head during a sporting event and loses consciousness – go directly to the ER
If your child experiences numbness or tingling in the body – go directly to the ER
If your child has personality changes or is irritable – go directly to the ER
If your child’s speech or vision is slightly impaired – go directly to the ER
If your child experiences weakness on any part of his/her body – go directly to the ER
If your child has fluid coming out of his/her ear – go directly to the ER
If your child has a large laceration of the scalp, go to the ER. (A small cut can likely be watched).
If your child was not “knocked-out” or has no complaints – no pain and not acting strangely at all, you may be safe in not going to the hospital. If there is a bump oh his/her head, be sure to keep an eye on it. If it continually decreases in size, you likely have nothing to worry about. However, if a bump is not going away, you should take your child to see his/her pediatrician for a skull x-ray because it may be a skull fracture underneath and it may need to be monitored. A great deal of bruising on the scalp should likely prompt a visit to the pediatrician. Beware of facial injuries too. If there is bad tenderness on the face, visiting the pediatrician or ER may be needed to ensure no bone is broken.
It typically takes two weeks after the injury occurred for your child to be “back to normal” and ready to play again but you should always get the “clear” from your doctor first. The leading causes to youth concussions (ages 5-18 years) are bicycling, football, basketball, playground activities and soccer. Not diagnosing or managing a concussion could result in serious long-term consequences, or risk of coma or death. In most cases, signs and symptoms may be noticeable right away. In other cases, it could take days or weeks before any sign is present.
One common misconception about concussions or brain injuries is that they happen only when being struck in the head. Parents should also know that a child doesn’t have to lose consciousness to experience a concussion so it’s vital to be weary of the signs.
Here are some signs that your child may be experiencing a concussion or TBI (traumatic brain injury):
• Ask your child if he/she has a headache; if so, is it going away?
• Is your child experiencing memory issues?
• Is your child experiencing concentration issues or being easily confused?
• Is your child experiencing slower or abnormal thinking, speaking, acting or reading?
• Is your child unusually tired or showing a lack of energy or motivation?
• Is your child experiencing feeling light-headed, dizzy or has a lack of balance?
• Is your child experiencing nausea?
• Is your child experiencing sensitivity to light or sound?
• Is your child experiencing ringing in the ears or loss of sense of smell or taste?
What can I as a parent do to prevent my child from experiencing a brain injury?
• Ensure that your child uses their safety belts in cars or any moving vehicle (including buckling children in safety seats)
• Give your children proper helmets and safety equipment for all recreation or sporting activities (i.e. bicycling, riding motorcycles, contact sports like football or boxing, skateboarding, baseball/softball, horse-back riding or water-skiing)
• Make sure your child is playing on a playground with shock-absorbing material (mulch or sand)
• Be cautious of accidents around the home such as falls (gates for children, avoid tripping hazards – loose cords or rugs, slippery tubs/showers – use slip mats)
• Coordinate and maintain your child’s healthy exercise routine to improve strength and balance
• Stay cognizant of your child’s vision by scheduling regular screenings with an optometrist
• Store away firearms (and bullets) – keeping away from your children
• And of course, avoid driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, especially with your child in the vehicle
The best prevention is teaching the child to act responsibly and to learn a sense of caution. This is not easy but parenting never is!
This article is not medical advice. Readers who are experiencing problems following a blow to the head should consult a physician.
David M. McKalip, M.D. is a Board-Certified Neurological Surgeon of the brain and spine; a member of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS), Congress of Neurological Surgeons (CNS), and American Medical Association. He is on the clinical staff at Bayfront Medical Center, St. Anthony’s Hospital, and Edward White Hospital.
